SUMMARY โ he believes you don't matter to him. just one more annoying fangirl. showing up to his races, being obnoxiously chatty and your flirtingโgod, does it end? sukuna dreads you. however, he starts reciprocating, as a joke, of course! until it doesn't feel like a joke anymore and he wants nothing but you on his side.
PAIRING โ streetracer!sukuna x fem!reader
CONTENT WARNINGS / GENRES / TAGS โ smau w/ written chapters, smut, angst, sukuna is a lot older than reader, older brother to choso and yuji, he was in jail for getting caught racing LOL, nsfw/vulgar jokes like allll the time, inumaki talks (UNFORTUNATELY), sukuna playing w her feelings, he is toxic!
NOTE โ i don't know too much about street racing, so if i make mistakes pls lmk!!
PROFILES:
YOU THE BIRTHDAY CAKE | FUTURE COUGARS & MILFS
01: WHAT SHALL I RENDER?
02: LET'S ALL MOAN
03: 15 UNFORTUNATE SIGNS YOUR HUSBAND DOESN'T LOVE YOU ANYMORE
SUMMARY โฉ in which you post a video online of a hot setter from schweiden adlers in hopes of finding said player, only for it to blow up online. you find out he's your childhood friend from kitagawa daiichi?! and the internet breaks at the thought of the two of you 'dating'. so, the two of you do what you think is right - date each other. fake, of course...until it doesn't feel fake anymore.
PAIRING โฉ contentcreator!uni!fem!reader x schweidenadlers!kageyama
CONTENT WARNINGS / GENRES / TAGS โฉ smau (will be some written chapters), clueless!kags, vulgar/dirty/nsfw jokes
you've got a text! looks like you're about to spend your summer on everyone's favorite trashy reality dating show searching for love (...or that cash prize at the end) will a certain pretty (annoying) blue-eyed boy catch your attention? or perhaps his dark-haired best friend? it seems this villa has a few bombshells in store too!
pairings: Gojo x Reader, Geto x Reader, Sukuna x Reader, Nanami x Reader, Choso x Reader
content: MDNI, fluff and smut and light angst, making out, piv sex, handjobs, fingering, oral (m! + f! receiving), threesome, silly summer fun, references to reality tv tropes ofc, lots of games/challenges inspired by love island, secondhand embarrassment, jealousy, evil TV show producers (cough gege cough), misc random jjk pairings as background couples, lots of teasing and tension, friends-to-lovers, exes-to-lovers, you name it, it's probably here lol
polls will go up to determine who goes on dates and challenges with our reader - it's up to you to decide who gets sent home or who gets saved at the end of certain episodes! first poll posted here, future polls will all be tagged with #re: coupled up! <3
creds: gorgeous art by @baobei-bu and divider by @animatedglittergraphics-n-more
patreon is here with additional original content for anyone who feels like supporting me a little extra :3
geto suguru is everyoneโs first crush. having a crush on him is as hopeless as it is inevitable though your friends quickly disagree that the awe-struck, mouth gaping expression is a strictly you thing, and that he isn't as much of a campus celebrity as you believe he is. regardless, you're determined to put your inability to hold a conversation with him in the past. the solution is simple, you seek out his best friend. if geto suguru is everyoneโs first crush (again, a completely objective statement), then gojo satoru is everyoneโs first heartbreak.
pairing: frat&icehockey!gojo x reader
content: mdni, idiots in love, oblivious reader, babyโs first kiss + virginity taken by same person (satoru ><), suguru as the wingman, a little angst, mostly fluff + crack !! titjob, a little spitting, p in v, degrading, oral, fingering handjob etc etc 37k+
note: happy belated national arabian horse day! this was meant to come out on the 19th but life got in the way... regardless of the day hit up a friend and start beating a dead horse to celebrate!
Geto Suguru is everyoneโs first crush.
Your friends insist youโre seeing him through some delusional rose-tinted lens and that he is, in fact, not as much of a campus celebrity as you believe him to be. You reject that notion. One look at him from across the room, other party goers be damned, is all it takes to confirm what you already know.
Geto laughs at something one of his friends says, tipping forward slightly as the alcohol softens his movements. You catch the tail ends of his laughter through the thumping bass, the glint of light reflected off his lip piercings when he smiles wide, his hand running through his untied black hair.
It would be as easy as walking up and saying hi to start a conversation. It would be as easy as smiling for him to turn his head and grace you with a smile of his own.
Oh, what you would give to be bathed in his gaze, for that pretty smile to widen at the sight of you. Heโd spot you through the crowd, youโd tuck your hair shyly behind your ear and heโd politely excuse himself from his conversation to walk over to introduce himself to this mysterious beauty from across the room.
Shoko makes a noise like sheโs strangling herself but when you turn to save her, sheโs staring at your face. โDo you have any idea what you look like right now?โ
โWhatโs wrong? Did I smudge my liner?โ
You pull out your phone to check your makeup using the reflection but between the flashing lights and someoneโs elbow jutting from your peripheral, youโre only eighty percent sure you donโt look a mess.
Considering you dragged your roommate out to this party last minute, Shoko sips her drink with commendable patience. โEven if you did, that would be the least of your worries. Look, you really donโt have to overthink this. We didnโt just spend all night planning this for you to end up weirding him out with that look in your eye.โ
โShit, that was the rehearsed deer look I was talking about!
โRehearsed how?
You decisively ignore her. โI just want to do this right.
Her eyes soften slightly. Sheโs always been weak to your woes. โYou will. Heโll love you. If you donโt believe in yourself, believe in me. I promise you Iโve known this guy for years and youโre exactly the type of person he just eats up.โ
You think of all your attempts to enter Getoโs world. There's just something mystifying about him, some kind of aura he emits that has you tripping over your tongue and freezing at the worst moments. Your words become stilted, your humour and wit abandoned at every crucial moment, causing you to simultaneously dread talking to him as much as you wished for it.
Shoko turns you to face her, eyes steady in a way yours isnโt. โAre you ready?
You let out a slow breath and attempt to mimic her determination with a single nod.
โThen go find him.โ
When you hesitate to even take a single step forward, Shoko gives you a push and then youโre off, legs moving without another thought. The crowd swallows you, bodies brushing past and jolting your shoulders, knocking you here and there. But none of that matters. Not when your heart is already set. Not when determination is the one thing keeping you upright, guiding you closer and closer to the boy who somehow makes a packed, sweaty houseparty fade into background noise
For too long, youโve let this intoxicating feeling linger, letting it settle deep in your chest, almost convincing yourself that watching from the sidelines was enough. As if anything short of his eyes on you, perhaps even his lips on yours, could quiet the restless longing twisting in your heart. Limerence is what Shoko diagnoses you with, but the word feels too small for the intensity that surges through you every time his name crosses your mind.
Geto appears like a beacon before you, the crowds having finally parted enough for you to catch a good look. The party music transitions to an angelic choir but admitting that is basically affirming Shokoโs concerns that your infatuation is unhealthy, so you quickly refocus. Your heart clenches, pounds against your ribcage, and you only hope the dim lighting will hide the warmth spreading across your cheeks. Heโs right there, right within reach. All you have to do is say his name.
All you have to do is make him see you.
You take a step forward, mumble an apology to the girl you bumped shoulders with, take another step towards where heโs laughing with a friendโthen veer sharply to the right and slip into the kitchen.
If talking to Geto were really as easy as saying hi, you would have done it months ago.
The kitchen is quieter, the bass reduced to a distant, muffled thump and you can finally breathe as the crowd thins. Thereโs still chatter though significantly more bearable and your eyes fall onto the small cluster of boys within, standing in the near dark.
Your feet instinctively slow but Shokoโs voice in your head tells you that youโve done too much to stop now and with a deep breath, you step beyond the threshold.
One by one, the group takes notice of you, their rambunctious laughter quietening into soft chuckles as heads pop up to look. Itโs not strange for someone to enter the kitchen at a party so the most you get is a head nod in greeting before they return to their conversation.
You reach for a red cup and then for a jug of some mysterious jungle juice.
Unfortunately, the jug sits behind one of the boys. Even worse, it sits behind who youโre really here at the party looking for.
Leaning lazily against the counter and nursing a red solo cup of something strong no doubt, stands Gojo, Getoโs best friend.
If Geto Suguru is everyoneโs first crush (again, a completely objective statement), then Gojo Satoru is everyoneโs first heartbreak.
You can feel the burn of Gojoโs stare as you get close enough to lift the jug and pour, hands trembling slightly. Before you can help yourself, you steal glances from the side of your eye, landing squarely on his shirt specifically at the crude letting that reads โTwo Seaterโ, arrows pointing abashedly toward both his crotch and his face.
You look back up immediately. You donโt want to know.
The punch sloshes into your cup, some of it missing due to your shaky hands and you donโt notice until a sticky trickle runs over your fingers. You hastily stop pouring and lick at the mess.
Before you can figure out how to announce your presence, thereโs a rush of footsteps and another frat boy appears. Hikari, you think his name was, stands by the kitchen entrance, hair slightly disheveled from his usual style, loud and demanding as heโs always been.
โHey!โ He calls, scanning the room. โYou guys need to come see this.
A chorus of half-drunk โwhat?โ and โsee what?โ answers him like a herd of seagulls.
โIn the living room,โ he says. โThere's two people on the floor andโโ He stops, glancing over his shoulder like the situation might escape him if he looks away for too long. โJust hurry up!
His vague words cause curiousity to spread faster than wildfire. The group of boys begin funnelling out of the kitchen, cups still in hand, voices rising with excitement.
โWhat is it?
โIs it a fight?
โPlease tell me itโs a fight.โ
โDid someone break something?โ
Hikari doesnโt elaborate, instead turning and leaving the kitchen, confident the herd will follow. One friend, Choso if you remember correctly, looks back at Gojo who remains calmly drinking from his cup, still leaning against the counter beside you
โArenโt you coming, Satoru?โ
Gojo shrugs, tipping back the last of his drink. โNah. You go on ahead.โ
Choso hesitates like he wants to ask why, then seems to think better of it.
โSuit yourself,โ he mutters, already backing toward the door as someone behind him shoves past with a whoop.
Within seconds, the kitchen drains of bodies.
Youโre deathly aware of the warm presence beside you. You inhale deeply and turn, ready to get this over and done with only to find him shamelessly looking at you.
For a moment, the two of you just stare at each other, his expression unreadable as he looks you over before his face splits into a lazy grin. โHey.โ
โHi,โ you squeak, immediately reprimanding yourself at the awkward sound.
His smile only grows. โI didnโt expect to see you here. Are you looking for someone? Or maybe you missed the exit? Itโs down the hall to your right.โ
โThatโs rude.โ You cross your arms in an attempt to place distance between the two of you and to maintain a confidence you donโt feel. โI attend parties.โ
Gojo huffs and you feel slightly offended. He straightens and steps closer, close enough that his cologne hits youโsharp, expensive, and entirely too much. โI donโt know about that. Iโve never seen you at one of these before.โ His head tilts, regarding you. โHow do you even know Sukuna?
For a moment you blank, wondering why he was asking about Sukuna. It hits you then that this party must be his. โAh. I came with Shoko.โ
He hums. โThat makes sense. Shoko always did have a habit of collecting strays.
โExcuse me?โ
โNot a stray,โ he amends lightly atย your glare. โMore like her lost puppy.โโJust because youโve only ever seen me when Iโm with Shoko doesnโt mean Iโm always with Shoko.โ
โI was talking more about how you were holding onto her shirt in the crowds earlier. She didnโt bring a leash for you?
โDonโt project your weird kinks onto me.
โDo you often spend time thinking about what weird kinks I might be into?โ Thankfully, Gojo lets the topic go before you really do decide to throw it all away and walk out. โBut alright, letโs say I believe you and youโre just here for the party. Why are you here in the kitchen, then?โ
โWhat else do people come to parties for? Iโm here to drink. And stuff.โ You trail off, clearing your throat.
โReally?โ He eyes your untouched cup. โBecause thatโs just juice. The good stuffโs over here.
He steps into your personal space to reach over you to grab a bottle from the top of the fridge and youโre face to face with the gross words on his top. He retracts his arm, bottle in hand, but doesnโt step back. โWant me to pour you one?โ
You think back to the last time you let yourself drink under the unwise judgement of Shoko, and how you can only recall glimpses of light and the vague memory of a toilet bowl โItโs fine, Iโve already had a lot to drink.
โRight,โ he says, in a tone that makes it clear he doesnโt believe you for a second.
You watch as Gojo pours himself another drink, sipping leisurely, pointedly ignoring the way youโre staring.
Gojo isnโt exactly a stranger, but itโs an overestimation to call him your friend. In truth, heโs Shoko's friendโwhich means she occasionally drags him back to your shared dorm before disappearing to do whatever it is best friends do. You catch glimpses of him in passing, fleeting and inconsequential, never quite crossing into โintroduce-yourselfโ territory. Why would he? Heโs the kind of guy who turns heads without trying, long-limbed, effortlessly confident, wearing the grin of someone whoโs never been told no in his life.
Where Geto is soft-spoken and warm, guiding you through conversation with patient smiles and gentle ease, Gojo is loud and vibrant and reckless. There's a challenge in his eyes, a knowing smirk on his lips, like the world is perpetually entertaining and heโs always in on the joke.
You, on the other hand, are about as normal as it gets.
When the silence draws into something a little less casual and far more awkward, you clear your throat. โIโm Y/N by the way.
โI know who you are.โ
โYou do?โ
โShokoโs roommate, right? Weโve seen each other before. Sheโs mentioned you too.โ He offers a hand, eyes holding yours like he knows youโll pull away with anything less. โIโm Gojo. Itโs nice to finally meet you.โ
You go to echo his words, that of course you knew he was the Gojo Satoru but hesitate, settling instead for shaking his hand. His grip is warm and solid, carrying none of the jitteriness you feel. Hell, maybe you should have accepted a drink after all. What is this, a job interview? Why are you shaking his hand?
When you let go, you become painfully aware of how damp your palms are and curse yourself silently.
Gojo picks up on the silence and moves to lean against the counter, mimicking your earlier pose such that his arms are crossed over his chest, only emphasising his biceps in his sleeveless top. โSo, Y/N. If you didnโt come in here for a drink, why are you here?โ
His words cause you to still. This was it. Every moment in your dorm, huddled around the whiteboard usually reserved for studying, now littered with far less academic plans, Shoko chiming in her own thinkpieces occasionally. It all accumulated to this moment.
โI was looking for you actually. I wanted to talk to you.โ Your voice is barely a whisper and humiliation slowly sinks in when he doesnโt answer immediately. Perhaps he didnโt hear you considering youโre speaking to your shoes.
When you finally look up, thereโs an unreadable expression on his face. Gojo slowly tracks his eyes up and down your figure. Finally, he straightens, head tilted slightly. โTalk to me? Alone?"
You nod, and his face breaks into a broad grin.
โI wasnโt expecting that. Not that I hate it,โ he purrs, voice dropping into something smoother as he steps closer and curls a loose lock of your hair around his finger. โWhat did you want to talk about, princess?"
Your mind vaguely registers the gesture, feeling the dampness of your palms once again. โI donโt really want to say here."
His fingers still, your hair wrapped around it. โOh?"
You wonder what that look in his eyes meant. โCould we go upstairs?โ
Gojo cocks his head, smirk tugging at the corner of his lips. His brows knit slightly, but his eyes gleam with amusement as he releases your hair, the strand falling back into place in a soft wave. โYou do know Iโm Shokoโs friend, right? And youโre her best friend?โ
โWhy does that matter?โ
โSeriously? You donโt think itโll be awkward?โ
Awkward? You blink, trying to make sense of his words. Perhaps Gojo and Shoko had argued recently. Maybe he didnโt want her catching sight of the two of you together else it put you in an awkward position. Heโs more considerate than you expected.
โIt doesnโt have anything to do with her,โ you say carefully. โWhether you or I are friends with Shokoโit doesnโt matter to me. I just want to talk to you.โ You smile in satisfaction, relaxing a little at his kindness.
Gojo suddenly laughs, brushing a hand through his hair as he throws his head back like youโve said the funniest thing. When he looks back down at you, his eyes are shining. โThatโs what Iโm saying! But every time I joke about it to Shoko, she goes all crazy on me. Looks like we have a lot in common, huh? I guess that makes us compatible.โ
You continue to smile, the corners of your lips wavering a little in uncertainty. Youโre not entirely sure what he means by that but considering youโre about to ask him for a favour, you appreciate his good mood.
โWell, alright,โ he says at last, taking your hand. โIโd love to hear you out. Lead the way.โ
Ignoring the little flip of nerves your stomach does as you hold his hand (perhaps he felt too drunk to climb the stairs alone?), you turn and lead him back into the living room and up the stairs to the quieter rooms of the house. The hand holding serves another purpose, you realise, as you weave through the crowds of people and he would surely have lost you had you not held on tighter, practically dragging him onwards.
You feel a tug before your feet can even touch the second floor, like heโs suddenly become immovable. Before you can turn and check on him, you feel the warmth ofย his chest against your back, his hand slipping from yours to settle at your waist. Youโre pulled to a stop, his breath now brushing against your ear, his hair tickling the side of your face. Youโre certain heโs leaning over you despite being a step lower, and the faint scent of alcohol and sandalwood fills your senses.
โI didnโt think youโd be so proactive,โ he murmurs. You think he might have inhaled, slow and deliberate, but itโs hard to tell over the base vibrating through the floorboards and the frantic pounding of your heart. โWhat else are you hiding from me, hm?โ
He reaches for your hand and turns you slightly so you can watch as he licks your fingers, tasting the sticky residue of your spilt juice. His blue eyes seem to sparkle, mesmerising in a way that makes you freeze. โYou taste sweet.โ
Your breath hitches and he must have heard because the hand on your waist tightens and pulls you against him, head leaning down to gently nip at your neck. Your stomach does that little flip again, this time accompanied with a hot flush that short-circuits your brain.ย
โWait!โย He chuckles softly, lips ghosting over a soft spot that makes your knees tremble a little. โDonโt be nervous. You have me right where you want me.โ
You freeze, heart hammering, fingers twitching. When his hand slips just barely beneath the hem of your top, the words tumble out of you in a rush.
โI like Geto!โ
For a heartbeat, everything goes still, his hand, his lips, his breath. Gojo pauses, lips pulling back from your sweaty neck. In fact, his entire body jerks back, both feet returning to the step beneath you, hand leaving your waist to turn you to face him. His fingers find your chin to tilt your face down, eyes dark as they hold yours.
โWhat did you just say?โ
You swallow, looking him in the eye. โI like Geto.โ
He stares at you wordlessly for a few more moments before he frowns, letting go of you completely and stepping down one more step just for good measure. โWhat the fuck are you doing here with me then?"
You gesture frantically between yourselves, finding the answer quite simple. โTo talk? Thatโs what I said earlier, didnโt I? I wasnโtโI wasnโt insinuatingโฆ I wasnโt trying toโyou know?โ
โYou said you wanted to come with me upstairs.โ
โYeah?โ
โAlone.โ
โRight.โ
His frown only deepens at your easy response. โYou know how that sounds, right? To get a guy alone upstairs at a party?โ
โIt sounds like I wanted to talk to you privately?โ You try again at his disbelieving expression. โThe music was super loud. I didnโt think youโd be able to hear me downstairs and I had to ask you something important so I didnโt want to risk it.โ
He lets out a huff, something short and breathy, lips quirked upwards like he finds something amusing, even as his eyes stay locked on you, unmoving. โYouโre kidding me, right?โ
You hold out your hands as if to say, โWhat can you do?โ.
Gojo groans, dragging a hand down his face. โFigures this was too good to be true.โ His hand drops from his eyes to cover his mouth as he continues to stare at you. โNothing about that situation implied you just wanted to talk. And about Suguru, of all things? Seriously, heโs being a cockblock and he isnโt even here.โ
โWhat was that?โ
โForget it.โ He drops his hand. โIโm leaving.โ
You quickly hold onto his arm before he can completely turn. โWait!โ
Maybe itโs the desperation in your voice, maybe itโs your iron-clad grip on his bicep but he doesnโt attempt to pull away. Instead, he looks back and wrinkles his nose at you, a strangely childish gesture.
โIโm not in the mood to just talk. Not anymore.โ
โCome on, please? Thereโs no one else I can ask!โ
โI donโt see how thatโs my problem.โ
โIf you could just please, out of the kindness of your heart, hear me out I would seriously appreciate it!โ
He doesnโt budge.
โI wonโt tell anyone I rejected you!โ
He frowns. โFirst of all, you didnโt reject me because it was a misunderstanding. Second of all, are you really in a position to blackmail me right now?โ
โI wonโt tell Shoko you were the reason her favourite candle knocked over and singed a bit of her rug.โ
His frown only deepens. Blackmail, you think, is surprisingly effective. โHold on, how do you even know that?โ
โWhat do you mean? I was literally right there.โ
Gojo lets out a deep, long groan. He wriggles out of your hold, sending you a glare. โYou know, you really suck at asking for help.โ
โYou donโt have to agree to helping me just yet. Just at least give me a chance to explain. Weโre already here, arenโt we?โ
โYeah, well, I had other plans when we got up here that didn't involve just talking.โ
You remind yourself to be patient. Again, you were the one asking for a favour, heโs the only one that can help you with your dilemma, you need him. Donโt call him a disgusting freak and walk away.
Clapping your hands together, you muster your best pleading look and send it his way. โPlease, Gojo.โ
Youโre not really sure what broke through his defenses. For your own ego, you decide it must be because of your puppy dog eyes because he lets out a sigh and gives a reluctant nod.
โGo to the room to the right of the stairs.โ
You bite back the instinct to cheer. Halfway through turning around, you look over your shoulder. โYouโre coming too, right?โ
โJust get up there before I change my mind.โ
Wondering if souring his mood like this would backfire on you, you quickly hop up the remaining steps and head to the mentioned room just in case he really does change his mind. It would be beneficial to appease him before you ask for a crazy favour, after all. Therefore, you donโt even try to eavesdrop as Gojo continues to mumble to himself as he follows behind, worrying that somehow he might hear and turn around.
When you both reach the room, he closes the door and leans against it, arms crossed over his chest and expression flat in a way that feels very un-Gojo. Youโre suddenly struck by the unfairness of it, of how someone with such a careless, teasing exterior can also appear so unreadable when he wants to.
โFive minutes.โ
You clear the irrelevant thoughts from your head. โExcuse me?โ
โYou have five minutes before Iโm going back down.โ
You take a deep breath. This is it, no backing out now. โOkay. I need your help.โ
He huffs, unamused. โSo youโve said. But with what exactly? Calculus? Because spoiler, Iโve been drinking.โ
โWith Geto.โ
You watch in real time as the connection in his brain is made. He straightens off the door slightly. โWait. Suguru? You want help with Suguru? What kind of help? Love help? You want love help with Suguru?โ
Every word from his mouth is like a bullet to your dignity. Through gritted teeth, you hiss, โYes. Can you be any louder?โ
โI can try,โ He says with a hint of humour. The smirk returns to his face and a feeling of foreboding looms over you. โThis is what you wanted to get me alone to say?โ
โLook, I needed someone whoโs close with him and youโreโโ
โClose? Please, Iโm his best friend. Iโm practically his wife.โ
โOh. So that makes us competition?โ
He wrinkles his nose and looks you up and down. โYou want me to help you get him.โ
You nod.
โYou want to confess to him.โ
โObviously.โ
โDate him?โ
โThatโs the goal."
โSleep with him?โ
You give him a look so incredulous that he laughs, short and amused. โIf you want advice just hit up reddit. If you want him to like you back then an etsy witch has you covered for five dollars. I donโt see why you have to bother me.โ
โBecause,โ You say slowly. โHeโs surrounded by people. He doesnโt even know me. I need all of that, the advice, the reciprocation, and I need someone who can get me close enough to him where he can notice me. And I feel like getting an etsy witch to manipulate his dreams to include me would cost more than five dollars. And Iโm broke. And Iโm kind of bad with guys.โ
โSo, what? You want me to introduce you to him?โ
โSure. And maybe tell me what he likes?"
Gojo looks you up and down again. He leans back against the door but this time, thereโs something smug and arrogant about his posture, eyes lazy as he takes up as much space as he can. โYouโre not even his type.โ
โThatโs fine, Iโm flexible.โ
โThatโs something you say at a job interview, not when youโre trying to get a boyfriend.โ
โJust shows that I have an adaptable personality.โ
โHe just came out of a 2 year relationship,โ He shoots back.
โI accept and embrace his past.โ
โHe has a habit of leaving his jackets on the arm rest of couches.โ
โI have hands, I can put them away.โ
โWhereโs your self-respect?โ
โWith him. Iโll get it back after I get with him.โ
Gojo huffs. โHe doesnโt even know you.โ
โThatโs why Iโm asking you for help.โ
โYou know, I think I liked you better when you were just a shy little thing stumbling over your words.โ
Again, you can only shrug.
When he only frowns, you decide to use your hidden ace. Before he can open his mouth and surely reject you, you beat him to it, voice overlapping his.
โIโll tutor you!โ
His eyes narrow and when he doesnโt say anything else, you push on.
โI know youโre aiming for that sports scholarship to study abroad next year.โ
โHow do you even know about that?โ He catches on quick with a groan. โShoko.โ
You nod. โAnd I know that youโre looking for someone to tutor you because you need to get good grades to get accepted. If you help me with this, I promise I can definitely bring your grades up. We both benefit!โ
Gojo stares at you like youโve just grown a second head and you think youโve lost him when his lips twitch. Then, almost traitorously, one corner lifts higher.
โYou,โ he says slowly, pointing at you like heโs identifying a rare species, โAre trying to bribe me. Youโre trying to bribe me because you canโt get game by yourself.โ
โIt's not a bribe,โ you say stiffly. โI'm just saying thereโs something in it for the both of us.โ
โItโs a bribe,โ he repeats, delighted now. โHoly shit, Shoko's roommate is bribing me. How desperate can you get?โ
โIโm offering to give you academic support!โ
โWith strings attached.โ
โYes,โ you sigh. "That's usually how deals work.โ
He grins, wide and boyish and every bit infuriating as youโve ever known him. โYou think I can't get a tutor without helping you bag my best friend?โ
โWell, you havenโt yet.โ
โThat's because I don't need one.โ
โRight. So I should just forget all the times Shoko has ranted to me about how you keep asking her for help?โ
โYou know, this conversation has really enlightened me on who my real friends are.โ His gaze slides back to you, assessing. โAnd youโre confident you can help me?โ
You straighten your shoulders and give a solemn nod. โIโve fixed worse than you.โ
He studies you, eyes tracking your features down to your shoes and you fight the urge to squirm self consciously. He seems to be recalibrating you, seeing you not as Shokoโs tagalong but as an actual person making a very earnest, albeit very ridiculous, request.
Finally, he sighs, long and dramatic.
โWell, at least you have one thing going for you. Suguru eats this kind of stuff up, hardworking, stubborn, a little patheticโโ
โHey.โ
โโin a cute pet way,โ he amends smoothly. โRelax.โ
You glare at him anyway but the rational part of your brain reminds you that you need this. He grins back, entirely unrepentant.
โFine,โ he continues, raising a finger, โIf I do this, weโre doing it my way. That means we need rules.โ
You fight the urge to jump up and down in joy. โI was going to suggest that anyway! How about this, weโโ
โRule one,โ he says, face settling into something serious. โYou canโt fall in love with me.โ
Unable to help yourself, you burst out laughing. โTrust me, thatโs not going to be an issue. You're definitely not my type.โ
At your laugh he smiles though it doesnโt reach his eyes. โRule two, no complaining. Keep that mouth in check, sweets.โ
You giggle. โWhat's wrong, fragile ego?โ
He raises an eyebrow and you mumble irritated curses under your breath. โSorry.โ
โRule three, if Suguru ends up falling head over heels for you, you owe me big.โ
โHow big?โ
His eyes flick down to your mouth again, then back up, smirk slow and dangerous. โIโll decide later.โ
You catch the movement and swallow, feeling none of the humour from earlier. โOkay, deal. Then, rule four, you take your studying seriously. I don't tutor people who donโt care.โ
โI think between the two of us, I want to succeed the most so thatโs a given. Any more rules, sweets?โ
When you shake your head, he nods. โThen, weโll start tomorrow.โ
โNot today? I mean heโs literally right here,โ You quickly clarify. โNot a complaint, just a question!โ
โI came here to get drunk and have a good time. Iโm going to need at least three drinks to get me back there so be a good girl and wait. Iโll text you tomorrow if you really canโt be patient. Unless, you want to back out already?โ
You straighten your shoulders, trying to match his confidence. โIโm not backing out! I just want to make sure youโre not going to ditch me. This isnโt really a normal request.โ
โOh, so you know?โ
You roll your eyes at him but have the decency to at least look bashful.
โTomorrow,โ he repeats then jerks his chin toward the door. โGo on, sweets. Before I sober up and regain some self-respect.โ
โDonโt call me that.โ
โA complaint?โ
You bite your lip. โA suggestion.โ
โHereโs a real suggestion,โ he starts, turning around to open the door. Standing in the doorframe, he gives you one last look. โNext time you ask a guy to go upstairs with you at a party, maybe start with the part about not wanting to make out.โ
Your face gets hot instantly, mouth opening to splutter, โI didnโt mean anything by it!โ
But he doesnโt stay to hear the end of it, rejoining the masses downstairs without another word. He lifts his hand once as a goodbye and then heโs gone, leaving you alone in the room, half mortified, half exhilarated. Unwilling to give him any sense of victory with his last words, you head back downstairs and find Shoko to tell her the results of the first step of your plan.
Itโs a struggle pushing through the thick waves of people but you finally find your roommate off to the side, musing herself in a conversation with someone you donโt recognise.
Instinctively, your eyes search for Geto if only to recall what youโre doing this for. Standing beside him, arm swung over his shoulder is Gojo, already sipping from a cup and laughing into the conversation with a natural ease that reminds you of the gap between who you were and who he is. As if sensing your gaze, he looks over and you flinch as if burnt. Something stirs in your gut and you wonder if your little plan to get with Geto has taken a slightly unpredictable turn.
โYou okay?โ Shoko asks, noticing your fluster.
You nod, looking away quickly. โOf course. All going to plan, you know?โ
โThen I guess youโre up to step two.โ
โRight,โ Your eyes drift back to Gojo and find him looking at you over the rim of his cup. The feeling in your stomach lurches. โStep two.โย
Step two begins with Gojo texting you at the ass crack of dawn. You blink the sleep from your eyes, squinting at the bright light of your screen in mild disbelief and annoyance as he tells you to pull up to his 9am lecture. Despite the lingering feeling that youโve bitten off more than you can chew, you understand that this is necessary.
You know for a fact that you have no classes today and therefore no reason to make the trek to university. a whole day,just gone and tasked with the impossible task of putting up with that infuriating player.
No, you reprimand yourself as you text back your agreement. No complaining. Do it for him, do it for Geto. With those words repeating in your head like a mantra, you pull yourself together and out of bed to get to campus.
It would be helpful, after all, to see where his studies were at if you were going to take this tutoring business seriously.
You get a coffee at the station to combat your sleepiness and the chill of a winter morning before hesitating and getting another. With two coffees, one in each hand, you wait outside his lecture room until the doors swing open.
Spotting him wouldnโt be too hard, you muse, considering Gojo is impossible to miss.
And then, you see him.
His unmistakable frame, hair a messy white halo catching the late morning sun, strides into view. He's mid conversation as he steps out, animated, half-grinning, and you find yourself understanding why so many girls lose their minds over him.
โGojo!โ You call out, voice slightly drowned out by the chatter all around.
Youโre about to give him a piece of your mind, him having been the reason why you kept to your phone all of last night like a wife anticipating the return of her war husband, when you freeze. Because when Gojo turns, your mind barely registering the amused look he gives you, the person he was talking to comes into view.
Because of course, where thereโs Gojo there is Geto, the yin to his yang.
You werenโt ready for both of them.
Noticing your sudden stiffness, Gojo looks beside him and scoffs. Unimpressed, he starts walking over. You panic, attempting to smooth out your clothes and fix up your appearance though your hands are full of coffee so you end up doing an awkward wiggle.
โLook at you,โ Gojo starts when heโs close enough. โLoitering outside my class like a fan. Maybe this is more urgent than I thought, not because you like Suguru but because you really need your self-respect back.โ
You open your mouth to respond, to clarify, to deny, to just say something, but Geto catches up beside him and suddenly every possible word tangles up in your throat.
โOh. Hey,โ Geto says, recognition flickering across his face. โYouโre Y/N, right?โ
You blink, knees feeling weak and mind in shambles that he even knew your name let alone match it to your face. โUh, yeah! Thatโs me!โ
He smiles, soft and easy, all the charm youโve seen him use on others now directed to you. โI thought so. Youโre in one of Shokoโs tutorials, no? I think I remember her mentioning you.โ
โIโm her roommate, actually.โ You try for a smile and pray it doesnโt give off the extent of your adoration towards him.
โRight, that would be it. Iโm Geto.โ
You nod mutely, wishing your brain would reboot to say something, anything that doesnโt make you sound like youโve never spoken to a human before. Geto, he says, like you didnโt already know his name, like he wasnโt one of the most known people on campus. Still, the fact that he so humbly introduced himself only proves his humility and your heart gives a quiver.
This moment was everything youโve ever fantasied. His eyes on you, giving you that pretty smile youโve only seen directed at others. You could have stood there and basked in his attention until the end of time if Gojo didnโt suddenly clap Getoโs shoulder and butt in.
โGreat, so glad youโre both acquainted,โ he says, ignoring your glare and throwing an arm around your shoulder to pull you into his side. โBut as much as Iโd love to keep standing here and soak in this riveting small talk, I think my very dedicated super fan here needs me for something.โ
You shoot him a look. โI am not your super fan.โ
โNo? And is that not my coffee?โ
You look down at your hands as if only remembering now what you were holding. Biting back a remark, you thrust out a coffee. โIt is.โ
He grins, taking it and letting his fingers brush against yours. โThought so.โ
Geto looks between the two of you. โOh, I see how it is."
Your eyes fling back to him at the same time Gojo exclaims, โWhat?โ
โWoah, did I touch a nerve there or something?โ Getoโs smile quickly turns smug. He returns Gojoโs earlier gesture and thumps him hard on the back twice. โI get it. Iโll get out of your hair then. Be gentle with him, Y/N. Heโs actually a pretty sensitive guy.โ
It takes you a while to process his words so Gojo reacts first.
โDude, Iโm telling you itโs not like that.โ
โSure,โ Geto says in a tone that very much suggests he isnโt convinced at all. โGuess Iโll see you around, yeah? Later, Satoru.โ
You only realise seconds after he leaves that you hadnโt said goodbye. In fact, after Gojoโs interruption, you hadnโt managed to say anything more to Geto.
โHuh,โ Gojo muses, breaking the silence. โYou get like that around him?โ
You groan and find the lump in your throat gone. โI stood there like an idiot!โ
โYou did.โ
โHe probably thinks Iโm a freak!โ
โProbably.โ
โAnd you!โ You look up to glare at him. โYou didnโt have to make it sound so weird!โ
โSo now itโs suddenly my fault?โ
โYou caught me off guard by calling me your super fan!โ
โRight, like that was the weirdest part of the conversation,โ he shoots back, lips curled in dry amusement. โThat, and not the super sour face you were making at him. Like a grimace.โ He mimics your expression and you properly grimace this time, hoping against all odds that that was not the face you had been making at the person you were actually a super fan for.
Deciding you will only lose if you continue to defend yourself, you choose to change the subject. โYou should have told me heโd be here.โ
โYou never asked. Besides, is it my fault if you didnโt prepare for that to happen?โ
You sulkingly mumble a yes and he wags his finger at you, tutting disapprovingly.
โNo complaining, remember? Come on, letโs go. We have things to talk about.โ
You sigh though relent to fall into step beside him, fingers curling around your own coffee as the crowd thins around you. Now that Geto is gone, the world feels marginally more comfortable, less bright, less sharp, but also less mortifying.
You remember your stuttering self a few minutes ago.
Still a little mortifying but now bearable.
Gojo takes a long sip of his coffee, then glances sideways at you over the rim. โFor future reference, I don't like coffee.โ
You dig your elbow into his side and he winces but doesnโt remove his arm around your shoulder.
โWhere are we going? I was thinking we could go to the library and look over your courses. That way I can pinpoint your weakness and where to target first. We only have a few months into graduation so weโre in a bit of a time crunch but I'm positive I can raise your grades from whatever they may be toโฆ what?โ
You trail off when you find Gojo looking down at you in disbelief. He shrugs when your eyes meet and shrugs, though the gesture is a little awkward with his arm over your shoulders.
โI just didnโt think you were serious about the whole tutoring thing.โ
โI keep to my promises, Gojo,โ you pause. โAnd I hope you will too.โ
He reaches over with his free hand to ruffle your hair, ignoring your squeak. โDesperation isnโt a good look on you, sweets. Relax, relax, I'll get you two together. Trust me.โ
You grumble but donโt voice your suspicions, instead letting him drag you in a certain direction. You perk up when you donโt immediately recognise your surroundings.
โWhere are we going?โ
โI get it, you want to check me out. I'm just taking us somewhere where that can happen.โ
โYour studies, not you,โ you clarify.
โYeah, and my studies are mine so youโre checking me out.โ
You grimace and he chuckles, turning you around a corner. โThe library is too quiet so weโre going back to my place.โ
You stop abruptly.
โYour place?โ
โYeah.โ
โYour place?โ
Gojo cocks his head as if listening to something in the distance. โDid you just hear that echo too?โ
โForgetting the fact that we should clearly just go to the library or somewhere on campus at least, I thought you lived in Sig Kap?โ
โRight you are. Wow, I'm really starting to see why youโre the perfect choice as a tutor.โ
โBut you just said weโre going to your place.โ
โNothing gets past you.โ
โYour place as in the Sig Kap house.โ
โLook at you go.โ
You stare at his side profile, waiting for a punchline that wonโt come.
โGojo.โ
โYeah?โ
โI am not going to your frat house.โ
โWhat happened to not complaining? That was the first rule and youโre already breaking it, sweets. I'm starting to dread this whole arrangement,โ he continues to tease, looking ever so peaceful.
โI'm sorry, I don't know what you think I'm about but I wouldn't willingly walk into a den full of men named things like Chad. Do you even have furniture?โ
โI only had a cot for the majority of first year but now I've upgraded to a mattress on the floor.โ
โGreat. Let's end this here.โ
Gojo hooks his finger in your belt hoop before you can walk away. โFirst of all, we donโt have a Chad. We do have a Kyle though.โ
โYou're not doing yourself any favours.โ
โSecond,โ he continues on, pulling you back towards him with his finger. โItโs ten in the morning. Half of them are in class and the other half are probably legally dead.โ
You stand your ground. โLibrary.โ
โSig Kap.โ
โLibrary.โ
โSig Kap.โ
โGojo.โ
He leans in suddenly, close enough that you can see the faint crease at the corner of his eyes from squinting in the sun.
โYou want Suguru, right?โ
Your breath catches and despite yourself, you hear him out. โSo? How is that relevant?โ
โBecause,โ he says mildly like heโs talking to a little kid. โSig Kap is where Suguru hangs out. He's my best friend, you know heโs my best friend thatโs why you came to me. Why wouldnโt he be over at mine all the time? If you canโt handle coming over now how are you ever going to fuck him?โ
โI am notโโ you choke, voice pitching before forcefully lowering your voice when you notice people looking at you. โThat is notโ I haven't evenโโ
Gojo hums, watching you with a victorious grin. โSo you donโt want to sleep with him?โ
You make a startled noise and start walking in a random direction, eager to leave him behind. Life, however, is full of disappointments considering he follows, his arm draping over your shoulder once more.
โSo where are we going?โ
You give in. โSig Kap.โ
โWrong way, sweets.โ
You groan but follow as he steers you in the opposite direction.
Gojo chatters in your ear the entire walk to where the frat houses are situated on campus, about how his least favourite professor is out to get him, about someone in his frat who set off the fire alarm this morning, about the latest philosophical debate holding the frat hostage: whether cereal is a soup or not. It's a steady stream of nonsense, ridiculous but unbroken because at least he wasnโt talking to you so much as at you.
At some point, you stop responding entirely.
Somehow, his mere presence is enough to change your opinion and you actually feel relief when you finally see the house before you. Sig Kap stands broad and sunlit, paint only mildly chipped, windows open to let in the winter air. There's a couple bikes leaning against the porch railing and thereโs an abandoned hoodie on the outdoor chairs.
โOh thank god,โ you mumble under your breath when he finally stops talking.
He lets you go to jog up the steps, opening the door to what youโre positive is about to be an overstimulating nightmare.
Warm air hits you first, carrying the scene of coffee and something oily. Sunlight stretches across worn hardboard floors until Gojo closes the door behind you and the hallway dims. A TV murmurs somewhere deeper into the house and thereโs a loud conversation happening upstairs.
โYou said everyone would be either in class or dead!โ You hiss.
โIt was an exaggeration,โ he says lightly. "Don't worry, everyoneโs harmless. But if youโre worried, you can just stick close to me.โ
You ignore his cocky grin and shove him to get him walking. Unfortunately, getting to the stairs meant walking past the living room and you know things wonโt be as harmless as he says when a voice calls out.
โYo!โ
Gojo pauses and steps back to poke his head into the living room. โMorning.โ
You awkwardly step back to let him, pushing you into view too.
Two heads snap toward you at once. One of them is sprawled across the couch, blanket half-tangled around his legs and a bowl of popcorn balances on his stomach. The other is slouched in an armchair, controller in hand, eyes bloodshot and face pale as if he was still hungover. Considering the state of the party last night, you donโt doubt that he might be. Speaking of the party, you recognise the one on the left as Hikari.
โYouโre bringing a girl back in broad daylight?โ The controller guy says, no tact whatsoever.
Hikari snaps his fingers in recognition. โHey, youโre the girl at the party.โ
โDamn, back for more?โ
Hikari shoves controller guyโs head down at the crude comment.
โShe's here to save my GPA,โ Gojo explains. โSo keep it down, yeah?โ
โThat's what we should be saying to you,โ controller guy smirks.
Unfortunately, Gojo smirks back. โYou know they canโt help it. I'm just too good.โ
He guides you back towards the stairs as the boys in the living room chuckle, and when you finally think of something to say youโre already standing in the middle of his room. By then, thereโs another something to take up your mind and computing power.
Despite the relatively large floor plan, Gojo has decided to use none of it. True to his words, thereโs a mattress lying on the floor against one wall, blanket a mess and a single pillow sitting flat at the top. A stack of old textbooks make up a bedside table where thereโs a cute small lamp. On the other side sits a couch and a giant flat screen in front of it at a distance that would make optometrists frown.
Maybe thatโs why Gojo is sometimes seen wearing sunglasses indoors. Maybe theyโre prescription.
โThis is what you bring girls back to?โ
Gojo drops his bag on the floor and flops down onto the couch, patting the cushion beside him. โCome sit.โ
You eye the seat in disdain.
โWhat's with the look?โ
โIs that even sanitary?โ
He snorts. โWorried youโll get cooties or something? Relax, I rarely bring anyone back. Usually I go to the girlsโ place for that kind of stuff. Fucking on a mattress is pretty harsh on the back, you know. Youโre the first girl I've brought back in a while. Lucky you, right?โ
You grimace but sit down gingerly. โCan you tell me what courses youโre doing?โ
โWhat's the rush? Let's get to know each other better,โ he says but he still reaches over to grab his laptop from his bag, opening it on his lap.
You can picture it so clearly, Gojo coming back from a long day of (skipping) classes to do his assignments and homework like this, slumped over his laptop on this surprisingly comfortable couch. The bare mattress on the floor might be a big contributing factor to his back pain, but you have no doubts that this routine wasnโt doing him any favours.ย โHere,โ he places his laptop on your knees and leans back, pulling out his phone from his pocket. โYou look.โ
Considering his complete disregard of safety is not your issue, you donโt protest and quickly type in the college website. As if sensing this is not the right time, a prompt pops up to log in again.
โPassword?โ you ask, tilting the screen to him.
He barely looks up from his phone, one arm behind his head, the other typing away. โSixeyes69 question mark exclamation mark.โ
You pause and type it in. It goes through.
โWhat's the number?โ He asks, disinterested.
You look on the screen. โ67.โ
He chuckles. โNice.โ
โAre you seriously okay with telling me your password like that?โ
He shrugs, screenshotting the multi authenticator screen before hitting enter. The website in front of you loads and opens to his details.
โTtโs not like thereโs anything you can do with that. Are you planning to sneak in and do my assignments for me?โ
Finding no fault in his words, you accept it and click through the tabs. Your brows quickly knit together as you read the contents.
โGojo.โ
โMhm?โ
โYouโre missing three assignments in this class, you have a midterm for another in two weeks and youโre barely passing first year statistics.โ
Gojo looks up at the ceiling in deep concentration before looking down with a smile. โYeah, that sounds about right, why?โ
โThis is insane! I'm not a miracle worker!โ
โBetter find a lamp that grants wishes soon because your love life is on the line,โ he points out. โThat was the deal, you find a way to get me into that scholarship and I get you and my best friend together. It's not my fault you were weirdly confident and didnโt check to see where I was at before proposing that.โ
Flabberghasted, you can only open and close your mouth like a fish. โLook, the midterm in two weeks, I can probably help with. The three assignments? You failing statistics?โ
โPretty sure I passed that last quiz. Maybe check again?โ
โ51 is just barely passing which is basically a fail.โ
โOh no, it seems like you canโt do this after all. Looks like the deal is over. Hey, by the way, since youโre already here, why don't weโโ Gojo sits up and leans in, one hand on your thigh above his laptop.
โI demand another favour.โ
He freezes. โYou canโt just do that.โ
โI can,โ you square your shoulders and meet his eyes. โI did this statistics class during my first year so I still have my notes. I can easily alter them and give them to you and if you have any questions, we can meet up and I'll go through the questions with you. There's no way you can submit two of the three missed assessments as late but I can help you write the one that was due last week. There will be a mark reduction but I'll make sure itโs as good as can be. And, like I said, studying for the midterm is possible in two weeks.โ
Gojo stares at you as if seeing you for the first time. When he finally moves, itโs only to remove his hand from your knee and slump back into his leather couch. โYouโre insane.โ
You wonder if heโs sulking.
โBut,โ you continue on. โIf I help you with this then I can add to my condition. Besides, I made it too vague earlier and youโve helped me see that. So thank you.โ
He rolls his eyes. โJust tell me.โ
You bite your lip. โGo on a practice date with me.โ
He blinks at you, giving you that same incredulous look before bursting into a fit of laughter that does wonders for your ego.
โHey.โ
He keeps laughing, one hand resting on his chest.
โHey!โ You hit his arm and he finally cracks an eye open to look at you.
โYouโre kidding,โ he chuckles, struggling to catch his breath. โGojo Satoru doesnโt do dates.โ
โDon't refer to yourself in third person.โ You smack his bicep one more time for good measure and because heโs weirdly solid under your touch. โIt wonโt actually be a date. I just need to know how dates work. I can't just go from zero to not-zero without practice!โ
His laughter trails off though the smile remains on his face. He tilts his head to the side. โYouโre at zero?โ
You freeze, feeling like youโve walked into a trap.
โDefine zero.โ
โHave you kissed anyone?โ
You look away. โDefine kissed.โ
He laughs again, though mercifully shorter. โThat's crazy. Next thing you know, youโre going to ask me to teach you how toโโ
โPlease!โ You say quickly. โIt won't be anything serious. I just need to know the mechanics, you know, how dates actually work. What youโre supposed to say, how you sit, when you pay, whether eye contact should be continuous or intermittentโโ
โJesus,โ he mutters, scrubbing a hand over his face. โYouโre actually a lost cause.โ
โWell I've never done one before!โ You clamp your mouth shut after, mortified at how loud you just got.
Gojo watches you for a long moment, the amusement still there though dimmed now by something closer to curiousity. Maybe even concern if you squint.
Silence stretches between you, warm sunlight pooling across the floor, distant house noise muffled beyond the door. He looks down at his laptop on your lap then back up to your face.
โ...okay.โ
Your heart stumbles and you inhale sharply. โOkay?โ
โIโll do it.โ
โReally?โ Relief overwhelms your system and your shoulders relax.
โGojo Satoru doesnโt go back on his promises.โ He straightens and places a hand over his heart, a mock solemn expression on his face. Before you can poke fun of his use of third person again, he continues. โBesides, I need to figure out where you stand. Let's go on a date tomorrow.โ
โEager much?โ
He shrugs. โRip the bandaid off. Besides, I have no other time this week, I have practice all of this week for the upcoming game.โ
Though you were ready to disagree, you find yourself nodding. โOkay, tomorrow.โ
โIt's a date,โ he says sweetly before clapping his hands together once loudly. โSo, does that mean I'm off the hook for today? Steam is having this massive sale and I have money to spend.โ
You snort. โWhat makes you think youโre free to go?โ
โYou got what you wanted,โ he points out reasonably. โPractice date secured so mission accomplished, right? Seems like a natural stopping point and the Steam store is calling me.โ
He reaches lazily toward the laptop. You smack his hand away without hesitation.
โWell hang up because youโre failing statistics and the submission box for that technical report is waiting for you. I'm afraid youโre going to have to reschedule.โ
โYou're kidding. I dragged you here and gave you nothing to prepare with, thereโs no way you'll have anything to tutor me with.โ
You stretch out your arms, fingers interlaced, and listen to the satisfying pop of your joints. โWatch me.โ
Night has long since settled by the time you return to your dorm. Despite his perennial sulking throughout the entire tutoring session, lips jutted out when he isnโt whining, eyes drifting from the screen when youโre not giving him your full attention, he still offers to walk you back to the opposite side of the campus where the dorm houses are. Guiding him through the writing assignment was somewhat akin to extracting teeth from a little kid, but heโs surprisingly quiet when youโre talking and only chooses to complain when youโve stopped.
And by the end of it, youโre proud to announce that he has 500 words on a once empty doc that was almost ready for submission.
Hey, you did mention before that you canโt create miracles.
Still, thereโs something bright in his eyes when he reads through his own work, mumbling the words under his breath. So then, when you had reached down to pick up your tote bag and call it a day, heโs on his feet almost instantly, laptop snapping shut as he follows.โIโll walk you,โ he says, like itโs not even a suggestion.
The campus at night feels different, all those late nights in the library had taught you that. Itโs quieter, softened at the edges and maybe it's placebo, maybe it isnโt, but the air feels fresher and time seems to slow. Streetlamps cast warm pools of light along the pathways, the winter air crisp enough to bite at your cheeks. Your breath fogs slightly as you walk, footsteps echoing in companionable rhythm.
For once, Gojo isnโt talking.
He makes the occasional comment, something about how dead campus feels after dark, how he hates early morning practices, how someone keeps taking his chocolate milk from the fridge, but for some reason you donโt find it so tolerable. Maybe itโs the way heโs saying it, slower and calm, nothing like before.
You steal a glance at him.
His hands are shoved into his jacket pockets, shoulders relaxed, expression softer than youโre used to seeing. Without the performative grin and constant chatter he looks less like the campus celebrity Everyone knows and more like heโs just some guy. Albeit, very attractive but you digress.ย
โYou didnโt have to walk me,โ you say into the silence that he hadnโt immediately rushed to fill after his last anecdote.
โI know.โ
โThen why are you?โ
He shrugs. โJust felt weird not to. Besides, itโs late out and your dorm is half a century away. I need you alive to fix my grades, remember?โ
You give him a faint chuckle and look forward again.
A few more steps pass in silence, broken only by the shuffle of feet.
โHey,โ he says suddenly.
You look up, watching the light scatter over his side profile.
โThanks.โ
โFor what?โ
โFor today.โ He kicks at a pebble on the path, watching as it skitters ahead. โFor not giving up on me after the first five minutes.โ
You huff softly. โI said I'd help. And Y/N never goes back on her promises.โ
He looks over at you and you both share a smile before his expression turns thoughtful. โYeah, but people say stuff all the time.โ
You study him. โDo they?โ
He hums and doesnโt elaborate.
The dorm building comes into view ahead, lights glowing warmly through the windows. There's still a couple students drifting in and out, bundled in hoodies and coats and wearing slides, soft laughter spilling into the night.
You slow, suddenly aware that the walk is almost over. You turn to him so you can look at each other.
โYou know, youโre not as hopeless as you think,โ you say quietly. โI think youโve just never pushed yourself to seriously try.โ
He snorts. โThanks, real inspirational.โ
โIโm serious,โ you protest but the corners of your lips quirk up.
He looks at you then, properly looks, eyes searching your face with a small frown. When he canโt find whatever heโs looking for, his brows relax.
โYou really think I can pass?โ
โYes.โ
Something in his shoulders loosens, tension easing away.
โOkay,โ he breathes out. โThen, my grades are in your hands, teacher.โ
You make a face. โI think I prefer sweets.โ
He laughs and you turn to walk up to the entrance. The automatic doors remain stubbornly closed until you step into the sensorโs range, humming softly as they slide open. Warm air spills out, smelling faintly of old carpet and air freshener.
For some reason your feet slow.
โHey, Y/N.โ
You turn, looking at him as he stands just outside the warm lobby light, hands in his pocket, shoulders slightly hunched against the cold.
โYeah?โ
He hesitates.
โSee you tomorrow."
You bite your lip and nod, repeating his words softly. Then, before you can do something stupid, you turn and walk into the building. The doors close with a soft thud, sealing you inside.
Through the glass, you watch him turn and head down the path, white hair catching the glow of the streetlights. And of course, he doesnโt look back.
Your reflection stares back at you instead, cheeks flushed from the cold, eyes a little too bright, heart still beating faster than it should.
Tomorrow, apparently, youโre going on a date, practice or not.
For some reason, Geto pops up in your mind and you tighten your hold on your tote bag, making your way up the stairs. The soft curve of his smile earlier this morning, the way he had said your name like it belonged in his mouth, or maybe that was just wistful thinking. But the warmth in his eyes that had nearly short-circuited your brain was most definitely real and you cling to the image.
Right, this is for him.
Your phone buzzes a little after you settle into bed that night, making you jolt. you roll onto your side and reach for your phone, pulling it free from your charger as you read through your notifications.
gojo: i made it back safe in case you were wondering ><
You get comfortable, tucking your doona under your chin as you type back, your phone the only light source in your dark room.
you: trust i wasnโt worried but thanks ig
gojo: who said anything about being worried?
also donโt flake on me tomorrow
iโm taking this mentorship very seriously so u better aswย you: i wonโt flake ik iโm already asking sm of u
gojo: oh u know do u?
so ure going to pay for our date tmrw?
you: itโs not a date
gojo: sure it isnโt
you: itโs just practice
gojo: i didnโt say it wasnโt
but if you admitted it was a real date iโd pay yk
you: please
like iโd actually want you to pay for my coffee
not a date, not real, donโt need u to pay for my drinks
gojo: ure a hard girl to please
you: if its from someone like you, its gonna be harder than just hard
try impossible
gojo: harder than hard?
you: ?
gojo: something feels wrong about that sentence for some reason
anyway
is the campus close for you or should we meet up in the city
you: the campus works for me
gojo: ure not just saying that to avoid the date allegations are you
you: no way
gojo: sure sweets i believe u
donโt wear anything boring
first impressions matter yk
you: oh my god stop pushing the date allegations
its just practice !!!!
gojo: okay and you can practice dressing up for me
for suguru
like for practice
you: ?
i know what u meant
but sure
as long as u do too theres no way im embarrassing myself by showing up overdressed if u show up in sweats and a hoodie
gojo: wouldnโt dream of it
see u saturday sweets
You stare at the nickname longer than you should.
Your fingers hover over the keyboard for a moment before moving.
you: goodnight gojo
The reply bubble appears then disappears before appearing again. Nothing comes of it as it disappears one more time and stays gone.
You swipe off the app and place your phone back on your bedside table, ignoring the pleasant buzz running through you.ย
You show up early like a super fan.
Youโve been sitting at the little corner table situated at the back of your favourite campus cafe for the past ten minutes now, stirring your drink just to look busy. The cafe hums around you with soft chatter, clinking spoons against teacups and ceramic against ceramic, a mellow playlist faintly playing in the background, but your nerves drown most of it out.
Youโve already gone through three mental checklists as you sit there, waiting. Your fingers curl around your empty cup, feeling the beads of water drip down your fingers and you really hope you wonโt need to make an awkward break for the bathroom anytime soon considering he should be here about now.
You tell yourself youโre not nervous but you catch yourself glancing at the door every other second, heart jumping each time it swings open.
The bell chimes again and you look up with a start, eyes immediately locking onto Gojo as he saunters in, lifting his sunglasses so they rest on his head. Heโs dressed casually, a white and blue jersey over a pair of blue baggy jeans, but his good looks mold the outfit into something appropriate for a date.
Gojo spots you at his first look around and grins, sliding into the seat across.
โMorning,โ he greets, a wide smile on his face. His eyes flicker down once at your empty cup. โDid you wait long?โ
โNo, not at all!โ You remember who youโre talking to and relax a little. โActually, I got here fifteen minutes early. I guess I got a little anxious.โ
โWell, you donโt need to be. You look nice,โ he says, tone light. His eyes look you over once to make his words comprehensible and then one more time purely for the love of the game. โTrying to impress me?โ
You scoff, trying to recover. โYou told me to dress nice.โ
โCโmon, sweets. Play along. Weโre on a date, you know. Your next lines should be something like,โ he suddenly tucks his elbow in, body curving to the side slightly, hand half closed and held delicately over his lips and chin. His eyelashes flutter over his cheek as he looks down and to the side, a faux shyness that makes you want to laugh. โโThank you, you look good tooโ.โ
You let yourself laugh, shoulders relaxing. โWhat the fuck?โ
โYou give it a try. It always works in anime.โ
โNo way in hell,โ you continue, laughing fading into occasional giggles as his gesture replays in your mind. โBesides, this is a practice date. I'll save that technique for the real deal, thank you very much.โ
โAnd for practice, weโre going to pretend this is a real date.โ He leans back into his seat, legs stretching out and bracketing yours under the table. His feet bump against yours lightly.ย โLet's give it another try. Did I make you wait long?โ
You stir the straw inside your drink, pretending to be nonchalant, though your fingers twitch slightly against the glass. โNot longโฆ I guess.โ You try a mysterious act, hearing that guys like a woman with secrets. At least, thatโs what Shoko told you though a small part of you wonders if you should be taking โhow to seduce a guy 101โ from a lesbian.
โโI guessโ?โ he echoes, tilting his head. โThatโs the best you can do? Youโre supposed to be charming me, remember? At least try to make it look like I'm not coercing you here.โ
โI donโt care if I charm you or not,โ you say quickly, cheeks warming. โIโm here to learn and youโre here to teach me.โ
He laughs, a low, easy sound that makes your chest tighten. โYou know, I'm not exactly made of time. Do you know how many girls and guys would kill to be in your position right now?โ
You resist the urge to roll your eyes though donโt stop yourself from making your voice dry. โOh sure, letโs spend this entire date talking about all the competition I have.โ
โWe would need at least four more dates to cover it all.โ
โI didnโt know getting into a relationship with you would be such an investment.โ You snort. โIf all five of our dates are just going to be you listing my competition, I'd rather stand you up now and save myself the time. And the money.โ
โI did offer to pay for your drinks.โ He grins at the back and forth, the sides of his shoes bumping into your ankles lightly. โThatโs it, youโre getting into it.โ
โFor practice.โ
โSure, sweets. Practice. Speaking of,โ he says, leaning forward just enough that the sunlight catches his hair. โYou should call me Satoru. Weโre on a date, remember? I canโt tell if youโre on a date with me or my dad if you call me Gojo.โ
You grimace. โCalling you by your first name makes it too real.โ
โIt is real. Thatโs what you should tell yourself to get into this.โ He juts out his lower lip, drawing his eyebrows inward. โCome on, sweets, let me hear you say my name.โ
โWhen you say it like that, it makes me want to throw a drink in your face.โ
โJust once, Y/N.โ
You huff and roll your eyes. โSatoru.โ
โOh my god, a girl called me by my first name!โ He squeals.
You almost stand to get out of here if it means preventing people from associating you with him. He grabs your hand and drags you back down into your seat before you can properly escape, much to your dismay. โRelax, Iโm just playing.โ
โAre you here to mess around or help me?โ
โWell, you need to tell me so I can help you. What do you even know about him?โ
โAbout Geto?โ
โYeah, unless thereโs someone else you want to know more about?โ He grins, easy and confident.
You ignore his comment. โWell, I know heโฆ likes books. music. He's kindโฆ thoughtful. Plays the guitar. Ah, specifically electric."
โAre you listing off whatโs on his dating profile right now?โ
โShut up,โ you snap, but it comes out weaker than intended.
โHe isnโt actively on any dating app right now, just for your information.โ
โAnd how would you know this? What are you doing on there?โ
โIโm not on hinge, unfortunate for the female population, I know. We just tell each other everything,โ he says, leaning back, one elbow resting on the armrest of his chair as he studies you from across the table. โIโm helping you, you know? First rule, donโt just parrot his interests. Though maybe I don't have to worry about that since youโre clearly struggling to even remember them.โ
โI wasnโt going to parrot him.โ
โI know you were,โ he interrupts, wagging a finger. โLast time I checked, liking exactly what he likes does not make you compatible. It makes you predictable. And desperate.โ
โOkay, harsh.โ
โIt's all tough love, sweets.โ
You fold your arms, slumping back in your seat, letting gravity do half the work of your sulk. โFine then, oh wise love guru. What should i say instead? Like, letโs say he asks me what I'm into and my mind goes blank like last time. What then?โ
โYou're asking like itโs that difficult. Just be honest, tell him what you like regardless if it matches his interests. Do you want to be a groupie or be something more than a friend?โ
โI want to be someone he likes.โ
โSo you're going to play the role of Suguruโs perfect girlfriend? And what after that, genius? Are you just going to pretend forever?โ
Gojo looks over to the front counter and smiles at some waitresses standing there already looking in his direction. He turns back as they start giggling and playfully arguing over who should come over to take his order.
โDonโt force yourself to perform for him or curate yourself to be digestible. If the two of you are meant to be then he should want you.โ
You look away, picking at nothing on your glass. โThat's easy for you to say.โ
โIt's actually incredibly tiring being this emotionally intelligent all the time,โ he says, face neutral.
You snort despite yourself and he looks satisfied.
โAnd what if I tell him and he doesnโt like it?โ
Gojo shrugs, slow and deliberate. โThen heโs not for you.โ
You frown. โWow, youโre terrible at pep talks.โ
One of the waitresses finally makes it to your table, an eager smile on her face and a determined look in her eyes. Behind her, you catch the rest of the staff shooting encouraging looks. She clutches her notepad a little too tightly, taking in a deep breath before talking.ย โHello, are you, um, both ready to order?โ
โYeah,โ Gojo says easily, flashing her a smile. โIโll just grab a hazelnut toffee latte with soy milk.โ
The woman quickly scribbles his order down. โOf course! one hazelnut toffee latte with soy milk.โ
โAnd whatever she wants,โ he adds, nodding toward you.
You blink, caught off guard. โOh, I already ordered earlier. I'm fine for now, thanks.โ
The waitress spares you a glance, eyes flickering briefly over you before returning to Gojo like a magnet snapping back into place. โNot a problem. Is there anything else I can get you started with today?โ
โWe're good, thank you.โ
Her face falls. She nods, but lingers a moment too long, clearly hoping for something, another question, a joke, anything to keep the interaction going.
Gojoโs grin grows just a little bit wider as he obliges.
โBusy today?โ He asks casually, tone warm and interested.
Her face lights up and she quickly steps forward again. โA little! It's usually busy in the mornings what with the morning rush and all. Honestly, itโs like nonstop until at least 1pm.โ
โThatโs brutal,โ he sympathises, leaning back in his chair, posture loose and open. โAt least youโve got good coffee to survive on.โ
She laughs, a bright and breathy sound that makes it clear sheโs not just laughing at the coffee comment alone. โPerks of the job, I suppose. Do you come here often?โ
Gojo tilts his head as if the question deserved genuine thought and wasnโt just a throwaway pick up line.
โNot as often as I should,โ he decides easily. โBut I might start if the service is this friendly.โ
Her smile widens, pink creeping into her cheeks. โWe try our best.โ
โI was talking about you, sweetheart.โ
Youโve been listening and watching with apt attention, taking mental notes on the right time to smile, when to tilt your head just so, when to tuck your hair behind your ears and when to employ the double tuck, when his last words make you frown.
You clear your throat, eyes fluttering away when both Gojo and waitress look over at you.
โWell,โ the waitress starts suddenly, glancing down at her notepad like she needs to remind herself sheโs on the clock, "I'll bring your drink out as soon as itโs ready.โ
โLooking forward to it,โ Gojo replies, though he hasnโt looked away from you yet.
She lingers half a beat longer, then turns and walks away, shoulders a little straighter than before.
โDone staring?โ He teases.
โI was not staring. Don't you have the tact to not flirt with someone else when youโre on a date?โ
โOh, so now itโs a date? Only when itโs convenient for you, huh?โ
You reach over for a napkin and crumble it up to throw it at him. It barely makes it halfway across the table before it starts fluttering down.
โItโs only manners,โ you insist, cheeks warm. โI didn't know what to do when the two of you were talking.โ
He snorts. โYou couldโve joined the conversation.โ
โAnd said what? "Hello, I'm also present and this jerkโs date for the day?โ
โHey, I like the sound of that,โ he muses.
Your next crumpled up napkin doesnโt get any further than its predecessor. You glare at him, something about that conversation rubbing you the wrong way, echoing unpleasantly in your head in a way that makes you want to peel your skin off.
You clear your throat again.
โYou're here to teach me like I taught you statistics, right? Even though one is clearly harder than the other.โ
โRight. Getting you to date ready is much more difficult.โ
You ignore him to save the life of one napkin. โSo, how do I do that? Flirt so effortlessly and not make it cringe?โ
โYou want to use what I just said with the waitress on Suguru?โ He actually laughs out loud. โDo not, heโs going to see right through you. You should have met his last ex. The two of them were absolutely disgusting andโ oh wait, should I not talk about that?โ
โYeah, letโs not.โ
He hums and changes the subject. โAnyway, just let it happen. Be natural. You talk to me just fine.โ
โYeah, but youโre you. frivolous, class clown, never takes anything seriously, probably never commits to anything,โ you start listing, counting them on your fingers.
โI feel like the first thing and the last thing mean the same thing. Put one finger down.โ
You refuse, still holding up four fingers. โSleeps on a mattress on the ground.โ
โSo does half of Sig Kap. But relax, I get it. So you suck at flirting. Shouldnโt you be happy I gave you a live demonstration of how itโs done?โ
That gets you frowning again.
โDo you always call everyone something?โ
โWhat does that even mean?โ
โYou called her sweetheart.โ
โI don't know her name. I wasn't about to call her โwomanโ, that sounds very sexist and I'm a feminist at heart. Thoughts on banning periods?โ
โShe has a name tag.โ
โI donโt look at that area on a woman on the first date,โ he pledges.
You continue without thinking.โHow is anyone supposed to know when you actually mean it when you give everyone similar nicknames?โ
He goes quiet, eyes narrowing slightly. โWhat?โ
Before you can elaborate, or maybe divert and make him look away so you can dig yourself out of the hole you just created, the waitress returns with his drink. She leans over him, placing it down carefully.
โHere you go!โ
โThanks,โ he says, polite but no longer quite as engaged. In fact, he hasnโt looked away from you, still giving you that same disbelieving look.
You fiddle with your own drink. Maybe you should have ordered something else if it meant spicing up the number of objects you have in your possession to pass awkward silence with.
The waitress lingers a moment before hesitantly leaving when itโs clear thereโs no encore performance.
โI just meant itโs confusing for anyone, hypothetically,โ you say in a rush, beating him. โAnyway! Flirting techniques, letโs talk about them!โ
He watches you for a moment longer before dropping his head and ruffling his hair. You grimace, eyeing how close his head is to his open drink. When he looks back up, whatever conflict on his face has disappeared.
โFine, okay. Let's talk. First of all, itโs important where the date takes place. There's unspoken etiquette for every typical date location.โ
โLike how you go on a coffee date, you shouldnโt flirt with the waitress.โ
Gojo cracks a grin. โYouโre getting it. Look, Suguru is kind of an artsy guy. He'd probably take you to an art museum or like a jazz bar for your first date.โ
You narrow your eyes. โHow do you know that?โ
โI told you, he tells me everything. Focus.โ He dismisses your look. โHeโs kind of an enjoy-the-moment kind of guy. Probably wonโt talk too much while youโre both admiring something together and saves all the talking until after when he leads you to some underground totally underrated dinner spot.โ
You wince. โShit. I kind of like making little jokes in the moment.โ
He snaps his fingers, face brightening. โRight? Like when youโre watching a movie in the cinemas!โ
โOkay, that is a bit tricky. It depends.โ
โDon't Genshin theorycraft me.โ
โYou're lucky I got that reference.โ
Gojo shrugs. โWell, Suguru enjoys just existing with his special someone. Don't get me wrong, he definitely talks when you get him started but I think heโs kinda cool for being able to sit in silence with someone.โ
You chew the inside of your cheek. โIโm kind of bad with silences. I end up embarrassing myself just to fill them. Do you think itโs fixable? Should I just not talk?โ
โWoah, slow down. Itโs fine, he has enough social awareness to fill in the gaps if youโre uncomfortable. But iโm just telling you what he likes,โ he studies you. โHe doesnโt like petnames, by the way.โ
Heat creeps up your neck.ย โThatโs fine, itโs not a dealbreaker,โ you mumble.
โI'm just saying. He's a real fan of using your first name. When you two get on that basis, of course.โ
โAnything else, Geto expert?โ
Gojo hums, taking a long sip of his latte, eyes tracking up. โHe likes meaningful stuff like art with a story behind it, long conversations about philosophy. Like yeah he still likes doing things just for fun but thereโs a difference between like and love.โ
You wince. โBut love is meant to be silly, meaningless stuff. Like sending pictures of dogs cuddling because it reminded you of us or whether youโd still love each other if you turned into worms. Like taking the longer way back home just to spend more time together. Or, I don't know, building blanket forts as adults.โ
Gojoโs mouth twitches.
You stop, suddenly aware you sound like youโve been storing these thoughts and theyโve suddenly all gotten loose.
โStuff that doesnโt matter,โ you finish weakly.
He rests his chin on his palm. โLike going to the arcade and getting plushies for each other at the claw machines?โ
You laugh, shoulders relaxing. โI'd obviously do better. You look like you have no hand eye coordination.โ
โDid you forget I literally play ice hockey?โ
โRight, your role as the benchwarmer?โ
โMy ass has never once graced those benches.โ
โI don't know, I swear I remember seeing you on the sidelines.โ
โYouโve come to watch me play before?โ He grins, cheek slightly smushed from his position.
โBecause Shoko went.โ
He juts his lower lip out. โHarsh.โ
There's a few seconds of silence as the conversation replays and you feel a sudden rush of embarrassment. You look up to see if he clocked your earlier slip up but he only tilts his head more into his hand.
โWhat?โ
โNothing.โ You clear your throat and look down at your drink. It's left behind a ring of water around its base. โHow are you two best friends when youโre so different?โ
โBecause he slows me down,โ Gojo says like itโs simple. โAnd I drag him out of his head. But he doesnโt need another person to do that for him so donโt even think of taking my spot.โ
You both share a laugh and it lingers a little longer than the joke deserves, warm and easy, until it naturally tapers off into something softer.
โWhy do you even like him?โ He suddenly asks, voice soft against the murmur of the cafe.
You slowly slide your gaze out the window as if reliving the moment. You can almost feel the rain on your skin, the warmth of a hoodie not your own, and the residual laughter at the back of your throat that makes you smile.
โLast semester when it was pouring rain, he saw me waiting outside a building without an umbrella and we ended up running through the storm. Itโs stupid but it was fun and meaningless and definitely what I needed after my finals.โ
Your words make him frown, finger tracing a random shape on the wet surface of his glass absentmindedly. โThat doesnโt sound like him.โ
โMaybe you donโt know him as well as you thought?โ You offer.
โDonโt be ridiculous, heโs my other half.โ
โAgain, should I be concerned right now?โ
โAre you homophobic?โ
โNo?โ
โThen youโre fine.โ
โWaitโฆโ
Gojo glances down at his phone and sighs. โIt's getting late, sweets. I'd love to stay longer but I promised the boys weโd go do this carwashing event.โ
He pauses and looks up.
โDid you want to come?โ he quickly adds on, โYou donโt have to come alone, you could bring Shoko along or something.โ
You wrinkle your nose. โNo thanks.ย You can imagine that sheโs not keen on seeing a bunch of shirtless boys.โ
He grins. โSuit yourself. I'll walk you out. It's the least I can do on this date.โ
You roll your eyes but stand and follow him out anyway, ducking under his arm as he holds the door open for you. Stepping out, youโre almost blinded by the bright sun and you have to cover your eyes to look up, squinting even with the shade provided by your palm.
He moves to stand in front of you. โWell, I'll see you around.โ
Next tutoring session,โ you remind him, letting your arm drop to your side. "Don't forget to watch the online lectures before then. And remember to do the weekly quizzes this time. Andโโ
He reaches over to ruffle your hair fiercely, laughing when your words turn into a startled squeak.
โYes, yes, I got it,โ
He lets you go and watches with a toothy grin as you start fixing your hair, glaring up at him and his audacity to smirk. His face quickly softens.
โSorry I canโt walk you back to your dorms. I'm already running kind of late.โ
โDon't worry about it,โ you say when you feel like you look presentable enough. โUm, get there safe?โ
โI will,โ he starts stepping back. โText me if you need anything.โ
โOkay, make sure toโโ
โRelax, sweets, I got it,โ He says with a chuckle and a wave, before he turns and starts walking off in your opposite direction.
You watch him go for a little longer before heading back to your dorm.You stare up at your ceiling. your ceiling stares back down at you. You've been staring at your popcorn ceiling for so long that youโve begun to discern shapes and different shades of what you had previously considered to be beige, plain and simple, but was now warping into the image of Gojo.
Something he had done yesterday clung to you even hours after the date. The ease in which he allowed the waitressโ fingers to brush his as he handed her the menus, the way he easily held onto your hand at the party, the lack of concern as he stood close to you on the walk back. You lift up your hands and slowly interlace your fingers. It's comfortable, familiar. until you start wondering one hand as someone else's.
Before you can doubt yourself, you pull yourself up and gather your phone and keys, heading to the door without another thought. On the way through the dorms, you send a quick text.
you: u free? im coming over
You stand outside Gojoโs door and knock. There's a muffled, incoherent reply before the door is pulled open, revealing Gojo. His hair is slightly damp with stubborn strands clinging to his forehead and heโs brushing his teeth. He's not wearing a shirt.
You stare at his chest.
โOne second,โ he says around the foam in his mouth. He holds the door open a little wider and ushers you in, letting the door fall to a gentle click behind you. โSit on the couch.โ
Wordlessly, you do, watching his bare back as he heads into his bathroom. The sound of water muffles your racing thoughts until he reappears, still shirtless but at least heโs not brushing his teeth anymore.
โHey,โ he says, irritatingly casual. โI saw your text. You didnโt even wait to see if I was free or not. For the record I am but imagine I wasn't. That would have been an awkward situation and between you and her, I would have picked her.โ
You blink away your surprise and look up at him. โHer?โ
โItโs a Friday night, Y/N. Youโre lucky I don't have someone over.โ
You frown a little at that and he continues, heading to his kitchenette to open his fridge, pulling out two beers. He hands you one, pushing it towards you once more when you donโt immediately take up his offer.
โSo, what are you doing here?โ
โAre you going to put on a shirt?โ
He blinks before a wide grin splits across his face. โI was wondering what you were looking at so deep in thought. I didn't want to assume again after you made a fool of me at the party but I guess you do have working eyes after all. Do you want me to put on a shirt?โ
You blush, finally looking away. โObviously.โ
He chuckles and places his beer down on the coffee table before going on a hunt to find a clean shirt. โBut from the way you were eyeing me it really wasnโt that obvious. Besides, youโre telling me to put on a shirt in my own home?โ
โIt's common sense when you have a guest over.โ
His voice carries over from his room. โYouโre not really a guest, more like a pest. A guest implies I invited you over, no?โ
โBut yesterday you said I could come to you for anything.โ
โRight. What was I thinking?โ Gojo comes back out and flops next to you, the couch dipping under his sudden weight. He takes the beer from your hands and cracks it open before handing it back and doing the same to his. โSo, you finally going to tell me whatโs up or are you just here to leech off my dwindling beer supply?โ
โI donโt even drink,โ you mumble, watching as the water beads down your fingers.
โNo, but I do have some manners for my guest.โ
โYou just saidโฆโ you trail off, recognising that youโll only go round and round in circles if you keep up this conversation. you place the beer on the floor and turn to him. โForget it. I'm here because I need your help.โ
โFigures.โ He holds the beer to his lips and takes a deep swig. โWhat can I do for you today?โ
You bite your lip before turning to him. โCan I kiss you?โ
Gojo chokes, pulling the beer from his lips with a hack, liquid spitting out onto his no longer clean shirt and sweatpants. He finally manages to get his mouthful of beer down, but he only coughs and hits at his chest. Hesitantly, you reach over and pat his back lightly.
He shrugs your touch away, looking at you in disbelief. โWhat did you just say?โ
โI was wondering if youโd let me kiss you?โ
โJust because youโre saying it politer now doesnโt take away how crazy you sound.โ He stares at you incredulously. โLook, I know we went on a date yesterday but I thought you of all people knew it was a practice date. I'm sorry but I don't feel the same way. Gojo Satoru doesnโt do relationships.โ
You groan, rolling your eyes. โI didnโt suddenly develop a crush on you, Gojo.โ
โSatoru,โ he corrects you despite his shock.
โSatoru,โ you emphasise. โI donโt like you.โ
โCould have fooled me.โ
โYesterday just got me thinking. Youโre so natural with touching and stuff and I realised that I have literally no experience whatsoever. I know Geto isnโt the type of person to care about whether I'm a virgin or not but I care. I care because I know I'll freeze up if we ever get to that part.โ
He stares at you. โWhen i asked you a few days ago about whether or not you wanted to sleep with him, you told me to shut up.โ
โThat was a few days ago.โ You shuffle closer to him on the couch and watch as his eyes drop to your thighs inching closer, then back up, something like fear on his face. โI know this is a big favour but I thought since youโve kissed so many girls before and theyโve never meant anything that you might be okay with this? I mean you thought we were going to kiss that time at the party. So is this really that crazy to ask?โ
โYes,โ he says immediately. โIt is. because you like Suguru and I'm his best friend.โ
โBut this is practice.โ
โYou canโt just echo what I've said in the past.โ He runs a hand through his hair, looking off in the distance before coming back to you. โSuguru isnโt the type of person to rush to things like that. You'd be in good hands.โ
โI know but this is for me. So I know what to expect.โ
His face is contorted in a way youโve never seen before. You decide to give another push.
โJust think of me as one of your hookups.โ
He exhales softly, eyes staring into yours. โAre you sure? Have you even thought this through?โ
โYes, I have,โ you lie. โI mean, there arenโt any cons. I'll lose my first kiss, get experience, and itโs all under practice anyway so it wonโt mean anything. And you get a hookup for the night. It's a win win!โ
His face only seems to pale more at your words. โYou havenโt had your first kiss yet? Fuck, thatโs a lot of pressure. And I feel like you have the wrong idea about what a hookup entails.โ
You shrug. โKissing? Making out?โ
โSex.โ
You pause. โWell, we wonโt go that far. Maybe.โ
โMaybe?โ He exclaims and you quickly deflect because heโs looking more and more shocked.
โWe can start with kissing.โ You shift closer, your thigh pressing against his. โCome on, it doesnโt have to mean anything.โ
Gojo looks at you, really looks at you, from the encouraging look in your eyes to the determined line of your lips. He huffs, running another hand through his hair at the absurd change to his Friday night plans. Sure, kissing someone wasnโt a big deal for him, not when heโs tasted the lips of many before, but there was something different about taking someoneโs first kiss.
Finally, he sighs, long and hard. โJust a kiss.โ
You beam, face lighting up. โOf course!โ
He hesitates, cursing under his breath something long but incoherent, before gently reaching out to tilt your chin up. โTell me if you change your mind. Just shove me away, okay?โ
You nod enthusiastically. โWhat do I have to do?โ
โJust let me take the lead for now. And if you feel confident enough to kiss back, go for it.โ Again, Gojo mumbles something under his breath, the absurdity of the situation still not lost to him. He leans forward as if to seal the deal before pausing, moving his hand up to caress your cheek tenderly.
Your breath hitches, eyes wide as you curse your own touch-starved form.
โYou okay?โ He asks, stroking your cheekbone with his thumb. โChanged your mind?โ
You shake your head slightly.
Gojo huffs and you feel the puff of air against your lips.
When his lips finally press against yours, fitting against yours in a way youโve only ever seen in movies, you feelโฆ nothing. You squeeze your eyes tighter, trying to dig through the sensations and pick out the one thatโs meant to set off fireworks and melt your stomach into goo. Instead, it just feels like thereโs someoneโs lips touching yours.
Sensing your discomfort, Gojo pulls back, eyes fluttering open to meet your unsure ones. His nose scrunches up a little as he studies your expression.
โHey,โ he starts, voice low. โYou're hurting my ego.โ
You lick your lips, trying to return your lips to their usual sensation. โIt just wasnโt what I was expecting.โ
โWhat were you expecting?โ
โButterflies?โ
He chuckles, hand still caressing your cheek. โYou're kissing me without any feeling. Itโs not my fault youโre as stiff as a board. Relax. Imagine Suguru or something.โ
Now itโs your turn to make a face. "Wouldn't that hurt your ego more?โ
โJust relax,โ he repeats and you make the conscious effort to focus on the way heโs stroking your face soothingly. โThatโs it. Good girl.โ
โDon't call me that, I cringed.โ
He laughs, leaning in. โAbandon the part of you that cringes not the part of you that is cringe.โ
With that, he brushes his lips against your again, letting you feel the slow movement and determine the pace.
Itโs not exactly rocket science, this kissing business, and you start to mimic the motion of parting your lips against his. It takes a few tries for him to hum in approval and deepen the kiss, his free hand sliding up to cup your neck and gently pull you closer to him. You let out a soft squeak and quickly pick up from the momentary break in rhythm on your end.
When his tongue slides against the seam of your lips, you blanch and pull back.
โOkay,โ he starts. โThat really hurt my feelings.โ
โWhat was that?โ You cover your mouth with your hands, the slimy sensation replaying in your mind.
โThat was my tongue.โ
โWhy didnโt it feel good?โ
He rolls his eyes at your complaint and slides an arm around your waist, pulling you closer until youโre half on his lap. โBecause youโre thinking too hard.โ
โI was not thinking at all, actually,โ you say, scandalised. โI didn't know I was going to be ambushed.โ
โOkay, my bad, I should have given you a heads up.โ He pauses and announces solemnly, "I'm going to start using my tongue.โ
You make a face and he huffs out a laugh, forehead dropping briefly against yours. Up close like this, you can feel the vibration of it in his chest, the way his grip tightens just a little like he doesnโt want you getting any bright ideas about you escaping.
โYou're doing fine,โ he says more softly, thumb brushing slow circles at your waist.
You think briefly that this must be the allure to him that has girls fawning for his attention. You're not immune either, and you sub consciously melt under his touch, relaxing again. Once youโve done it once, given into his temptation, itโs easy to fall back again.
โFine doesnโt seem like outstanding status,โ you mumble, trying to maintain some resistance.
โFor your first time, it wasnโt so bad.โ His nose nudges yours, playfully and coaxing and youโre in his web again. โCโmere.โ
Gojo doesnโt pull you this time. Instead, he just waits, one arm warm and steady around your hips, hand stroking your hair as he waits for you to come to him. It's a sign of consideration that has you feeling jittery and warm, though thereโs a lazy smirk on his lips that suggests he has other ulterior motives that makes it as infuriating as it is attractive.
Your gaze flicks to his mouth then back to his eyes. His lashes lower just slightly, watching you watch him, and something in your stomach flips over completely. Probably your common sense.
โJustโฆ slower,โ you mumble.
โYeah,โ he says quietly. โSlower.โ
He still doesnโt move first which is deeply unfair, because now you have to be the brave one.
You lean in. It's clumsy at first, more of a gentle bump of noses and a too-soft press of lips than anything smooth or cinematic like he had kissed you earlier. You almost pull back in embarrassment, ready to admit that maybe he was a better kisser than you had given him credit for if itโll mean this pathetic peck of yours can end and he can make it good again, when his hand tightens on your hip and he takes over.
His mouth settles properly over yours, angle shifting until the awkwardness disappears, until it stops being babyโs first kiss and starts becoming a warm, steady pressure that has your toes curling. Yhe faint brush of his breath against your cheek, the subtle tilt of his head that fits your mouth together and when he nips at your bottom lip, a soft startled sound escapes before you can stop it.
He swallows it down without hesitation.
His hand tightens reflexively and slides down, cupping your ass as he leans back and guides you onto him, fingers pressing into the fabric of your clothes to keep you there, not that you had any plans of moving. One moment your body is twisted awkwardly to meet him and the next youโre seated full on his lap, his warmth solid beneath you.
His breath fans across your cheek in uneven bursts, warm and damp, and the faint scrape of his teeth lingers as a tingling awareness.
You realise, distantly, that youโre no longer stiff.
Your hands, which had been braced awkwardly against his shoulders, loosen without permission. One slides up into his hair as you lean into him, damp strands cool at the ends, warm near the scalp, and the sensation grounds you in a way nothing else does. His mouth opens at the sensation and when his tongue sweeps along your lower lip again, you donโt pull away. It isnโt slimy or invasive like last time, in fact you welcome it, mimicking his openness and the kiss deepens.
Your breath mingles, movements syncing up and under the guidance of his lips and tongue, you start getting bolder.
You shift closer, just a fraction, your head moving up and face tilting down to angle yourself deeper when a low sound slips out of him.
Your eyes fly open and you pull away. โWas thatโโ
โNope,โ he says immediately, eyes darker than when you last checked. He's panting beneath your palms, a slightly warm tint to his face as he stares at you.
You swallow. โYou justโโ
โI didnโt,โ he insists, far too quickly.
When heโs so adamant like that, itโs a little hard to say anything more. Besides, while itโs almost fun to poke the bear, the memory of his mouth on yours has you thinking about something else entirely.
You donโt move from his lap and he doesnโt push you off.
โThink youโre getting it?โ he asks, watching you with something unreadable lurking in his eyes.
You donโt hesitate. โNo.โ
You stare at each other, catching a much needed breath.
โAlright,โ he says, voice rough. โOne more. and then we have to stop.โ
You lean in and he lets out a soft sigh like a man doomed before meeting you halfway.
Gojo doesnโt start slow this time, maybe because he knows if he does, he wonโt be able to control himself.
His hand slides more firmly to the back of your neck, guiding you towards him with a kind of impatience, mouth finding yours with confidence, your chest tightening at the gesture. Your fingers clutch at his shirt instinctively and he makes a low noise at the back of his throat, deepening the kiss until you slide your fingers up and into his hair.
A low exhale slips through his nose, almost shaky and he tilts his head in response to your faint tugs.
โThatโs it,โ he murmurs against your lips.
Emboldened, you tilt your head and slide your tongue into his mouth to taste him. He tastes like beer and minty and something addictive that has you repeating the movement over and over. When he reciprocates, your stomach swoops instead of recoiling.
You shift, suddenly desperate to get closer and settle over his bulge.
Wow.
You both jerk away from each other quickly, your hands leaving his hair and his arm retracting from your waist. The break feels violent in its suddenness, like surfacing too fast in deep water.
Cold air rushes between you where there had only been warmth seconds ago. Your lips tingle, oversensitive, parted as you drag in a shaky breath.ย Gojoโs chest rises and falls sharply, eyes wide in a way youโve never seen before, pupils blow dark. For once, there is no smirk, no teasing glint, just a raw, stunned awareness, like heโs trying to process several things at once and failing at all of them.
You become acutely aware of exactly where youโre sitting.
Heat floods your face and to the tips of your ears. you scramble backward, knees slipping against the couch cushions, putting space between your bodies even as the loss of his warmth makes your skin prickle.
โOh my god,โ you breathe, horrified. โI didnโtโI mean, I wasn't trying toโโ
โDonโt,โ he groans, slumping back, covering his flushed face with his arm. His other hand reaches down to adjust himself though he doesnโt seem to have any ideas of covering himself so you watch unabashedly. โJust donโt say anything for a second.โ
You clamp your mouth shut obediently.
The room feels too small, too quiet, every little sound like the rustle of fabric or the faint hum of the fridge in the kitchenette, even your own uneven breathing, suddenly feels magnified.
Eventually, Gojo pulls himself up, fixing dark eyes on your figure.
โIโm sorry.โ You rush to say, though youโre not sure what youโre apologising for.
โItโs fine, itโs not your fault. It wasn't because of you, I guess I've just been pent up,โ he runs his hand through his hair and you watch as he pauses, something passing over his face before he abruptly pulls his hand away. โAnyway, itโs normal.โ
You nod too fast. โRight, yes. Totally fine. Super normal, nothing weird happened.โ
โRight,โ he says. โNothing weird.โ
Your shoulders sag a little, tension leaking out now that thatโs been cleared up. The adrenaline leaves behind a strange floaty sensation and you try, and fail, to push down the sudden desire to continue, to explore even further.
โWeโre definitely stopping the practice today,โ he says, crushing your dreams.
You nod again, somewhat grateful that a decision has been made for you considering the conflict thoughts warring in your head. โOkay.โ
He suddenly ruffles his hair all messy and stands up with an exaggerated groan that makes you jump. โOkay! That's over. You did good by the way. Youโre gonna be trouble when you actually start dating someone.โ
You frown. โWhy?โ
โIt's a compliment, sweets, learn to recognise them, yeah?โ He starts walking over to his kitchenette. โWant an actual drink?โ
Your brain is still somewhere back in that last kiss, struggling to catch up. โSure. Just water, right?โ
He snorts. โIโm not a creep.โ
When you lean back against the couch and close your eyes to recenter yourself, he steals a glance and lets out a long exhale. He closes his eyes for a moment like heโs deeply exhausted.
When he opens his eyes again and makes his way to you, his signature smirk is back.
If anyone saw how nervous you look about to text Gojo, they might think you had a crush on him. Which is absurd because you clearly have a crush on Geto.
Your thumb hovers over the send button, chewing the inside of your cheeks as you debate whether this is a good idea or not.
Itโs been a week since you first asked Gojo for advice and though his methods werenโt orthodox nor was he incredible help, you still had to give him his merits. Talking to him was relaxing in a way, the constant back and forth familiar and even his judgement didnโt seem to come from a bad place. The physical stuff was a whole other story and did not influence your thoughts on how you felt about him whatsoever.
In summary, Gojo has given you determination that you couldnโt have achieved on your own.
Using this newfound confidence, you take a deep breath and finally hit send.
you: hey are you in class today?
Not even a full minute later, his reply buzzes.
gojo: yeah i am
stalking me, super fan?
you: god this is exactly why i hate texting u
gojo: :(
why whats up though
ur class doesnโt finish until 2 right?
you: yeah how did u know that?
u sure ure not my super fan?
gojo: guilty!
i just know dont ask what u cant handle
so u gonna leave me in suspense or are u gonna tell me
you: well you have class with geto right
The inside of your cheeks starts getting a little tender as you continue to gnaw and bite at the flesh, anxiously waiting as Gojoโs typing bubbles appear and disappear.
gojo: yeah i do
you: can i come see you?
gojo: what
you: like ill come to your class but can you leave after so its just me and him
u were talking about creating these situations on saturday right
so like
wouldnt this be perfect?
gojo: god this conversation isnโt good for my heart
you: ?
gojo: our class ends later than urs
you: thatโs fine i can wait !!
gojo: nah i dont feel like it
you: ?????
man what the hell you said youโd help me
gojo: and i did
on saturday
what if i want suguru all to myself today?
you: come on please???
gojo: what if i dont want to see u
you: well i wont be bothering u this time
i just need an excuse to see him
i think whatever magic u casted over me on sat worked im feeling like scarily confident
i want to talk to him before the feeling goes away
like i feel like i can really do it this time you know?
please satoru?
gojo: god u have no idea how evil u are
fine
ill get us to go to the library
you: THANK YOU@!!!!!!
gojo: u owe me
you: YES DEFINITELY
gojo: another date this friday then
you: OKAY!!!
wait what
Waiting at the library is agonising. you attempt to complete some smaller tasks for your courses that youโve left in lieu of thinking about, well, boys. But just like every time before, your thoughts stray and settle on him. His pretty effortless smiles, his soft laughter, that sparkling glint in his eyes when he looks at you and itโs like the world quietens just to listen too. his long fingers, the mole on his earlobe, his whiteโ
When your phone buzzes again an hour later, you jump up from your seat to find the location of the photo Gojo sent.
You slip into the fifth library floor as quietly as possible, scanning the endless rows of students for the familiar top of someoneโs head. It doesn't take long for your eyes to settle on him.
Gojo is impossible to miss, slouched low in a study booth, hood up and drooping over his hair and the bottom pulled up to cover his mouth. His arms are crossed over his chest as he stares at his laptop screen.
And of course, Geto sits across from him.
Taking in a deep breath, you slow your pace into something that might pass as a casual stroll as if you had randomly come upon them by chance and stop by their booth.
โOh, hi Satoru!โ
He doesnโt look up. โHey.โ
Then, after a manual moment, you turn to Geto. โOh my god! Geto? Wow.โ Your voice comes out pitched a little too loud. โWhat a coincidence!โ
Geto looks up with a smile. โHey, Y/N. What are the chances we ran into each other?โ
Gojo snorts and you donโt miss how pointed it is. You take the chance to glare at the side of his face but he only sinks into his hoodie with a grumble. You continue to stare, even narrowing your eyes as if itโll sharpen your gaze and he finally lets out a loud groan, flipping the hood down to ruffle his hair and sit up.
โOh no,โ he announces into the silence, loud enough to draw a few irritated glances, not that he cares. He checks his phone, staring at his empty notification list. โIt looks like my best friend accidentally locked himself out of his dorm.โ
Geto pauses. โI'm your best friend.โ
You purse your lips, watching as Gojo begins to slowly pack up his things. Granted, he only needed to close his laptop and shove it into his tote bag, without a case mind you. He refuses to look up despite your efforts to catch his gaze.
โSorry man, duty calls. I canโt help that iโm such a good friend.โ He stands, slinging his bag over his shoulder. When he passes by, his arm brushing against yours despite the empty space all around, he leans down to whisper, โGood luck.โ
You donโt have the time to decipher if itโs sincerity or sarcasm that you detect because he leaves, his lingering cologne the only sign that he was ever there.
You turn back to Geto, offering a small, awkward smile, wondering if heโs caught on.
โWhat was that about?โ You laugh.
Geto chuckles softly. โSorry about him. You know how he can be sometimes.โ
He looks up at you patiently.
โWell, an empty spot has opened up. Are you staying to study?โ
You fight the urge to celebrate. You happily erase thoughts of Gojo from your mind, leaving the gruelling task of decoding his strange behaviour for another day. Gojoโs seat is still warm when you take it, pulling out your laptop just for the act. There was no way you were wasting this golden opportunity with actually studying, donโt be silly.
โSo,โ you begin, picking at the corner of your sleeve. โAny plans this weekend?โ
โYou didnโt hear? Satoru is having a game this weekend. Itโs just a preliminary but heโs been hyped for it. I'm sure heโd love it if you rocked up.โ
You almost laugh out loud. โNo way. He'd hate that.โ
Getoโs brows lift, amused. โWhy would he hate it?โ
โBecause,โ you say, gesturing vaguely. โWe're not really friends. More like we have a symbiotic relationship. If we didnโt have that, I doubt weโd even talk to each other.โ
โI don't think so,โ Geto smiles at you but instead of giving you the butterflies, it leaves you feeling unsure. โBut you should come. Not by yourself, of course, I'm sure Shoko would come along.โ
โIf she was going to go, sheโd just take Utahime.โ You shift in your seat, throwing the idea around in your head. โEven if I wanted to, I don't think I know anyone else whoโd want to come with.โ
โDo you want to go with me?โ
Your brain blanks.
โWhat?โ
โI was planning on going anyway,โ he says, tone casual and all your senses tunnel-vision on him. โBesides, I've been curious about the girl whoโs been taking up so much of Satoruโs time.โ
Your answer is obvious.
โIโd love to!โ
It comes out a little too fast, a little too bright, but you canโt quite bring yourself to care. Relief, excitement, disbelief, it all tangles together in your chest until the only discernable thing left is a giddy sort of lightness.
Getoโs smile widens, clearly pleased and you beam back. He hands you his phone.
โCan I have your Insta then?So I can text you the details later.โ
Your hands shake as you take it, thumbs clumsy as you type in your username, backspacing more times than youโd like to admit. Youโre suddenly hyperaware of everything, the way heโs close enough to see your screen, the warmth of his hand where it had just been, the ridiculous desire to go through your own profile but through his eyes settling on your mind. Later, you can already imagine stalking your own profile, scrutinising every photo, every caption, trying to imagine what it would look like to be him scrolling through for the first time.
When he takes his phone back, he doesnโt immediately pocket it. Instead, he actually looks, thumb scrolling down, humming.
Oh god, heโs looking right now.
"Where's that quote from your bio from?โ He asks, glancing up briefly. โIt sounds familiar.โ
โOh, um. Itโs from my favourite novel.โ Your eyes flutter across his face as you tell him the title, sneaking in a quick description to try to sell it.
โIโll have to check it out then,โ Geto says, putting his phone away. โDo you read often?โ
โNot as much as I want to. You know how it is, with school and everything. Not to mention books are crazy expensive nowadays.โ
He nods sympathetically. โThere's this small bookshop tucked away near the city. It's actually close by the rink where Satoruโs game is. I could show you after his game on Saturday.โ
Your breath catches.
โAfter the game?โ You repeat, trying very hard to sound normal and not out-of-breath.
Geto nods, completely at ease.
โIf youโre not in a rush to get back after,โ he adds, considerate as ever. โIt says open pretty late.โ
You stare at him for a second, thoughts scrambling over each other.
Heโs inviting you out after a game. That meant walking together, talking more, being alone without the buffer of a crowd screaming over a bunch of men slamming into each other and hitting with their sticks.
You realise youโre meant to give an answer and quickly hurry.
โYeah, that sounds perfect actually!โ You say, a touch too fast, then wince and try again, softer. โI meanโyeah. That sounds really nice.โ
โGood,โ he says simply, smile deepening. โIt's a cozy place. You could get lost in there for hours.โ
โThat sounds dangerous. I already have a book-buying problem."
โSecondhand prices,โ he reminds you. โIt's much safer.โ
You hum. โThat's debateable. Lower prices just means I have to buy more.โ
You canโt believe your luck. Not only had Geto basically invited you on a date to Gojoโs game, heโs also asked you to go book shopping together afterward. And somehow, you had just finished a perfectly normal conversation with him without embarrassing yourself beyond recovery.
Could things possibly get any better?
โYou know,โ he starts up again and you lean in. โSatoruโs doing suspiciously good in his classes recently. Any clue why?โ
You freeze, temporarily thrown off guard. โHe better be. I don't tutor him for nothing.โ
โI knew it was you. Why are you tutoring him? If heโs blackmailing you, I can help,โ he says with a straight face.
โNo, no! nothing like that!โ You rush to explain.
He cracks a smile. โIโm just joking. He's not actually as bad as his reputation makes him out to be. It's all bad rep, you know?โ
While youโve known Gojo through his reputation for as long as you can remember, youโve never once stopped to consider that might not be everything about him.
โWhat do you mean?โ
โSig Kap had a frat sweetheart two years ago,โ Geto explains, folding his hands loosely on his laptop. โShe was nice, really sweet but some of the older guys treated her like shit. When Satoru called some of the boys out for messing with her they werenโt too happy.โ
Your brows lift. โSo did they kick him out or something?โ
โNot that thereโs much they could have done considering his family.โ
โWhat about them?โ
He glances at you surprised. โYou donโt know?โ
You shake your head.
โHuh.โ His expression softens into something gentler. โYeah. A lot of people approach him because they want something, connections, favours, you know the deal. He absolutely hates it. Ironically, that influence is also what kept the older guys from pushing back too hard and they couldnโt exactly scare him off so heโs there to stay.โ
โAnd some people still donโt like him?โ
โSome still donโt,โ Geto confirms. โSo they spread all those stupid rumours instead. Probably easier that way since itโs not exactly traceable.โ
Your stomach tightens. โWhat kind of rumours?โ
He hesitates, then shrugs. โStuff about him sleeping around. that heโs messed with every girl on campus, that kind of thing. You donโt have to look so devastated, it doesnโt bother him much. If anything, it gets him more game. But itโs far from the truth. I mean youโre a girl on campus and he hasnโt messed with you.โ
Something about the way he says it, calm and matter-of-fact, makes your chest ache.
โHe did earn a lot of respect back,โ Geto continues, oblivious to your growing distress. โEspecially from the younger guys. But some of the older ones never really got over it.โ
He falls silent, studying you with that gentle, searching look that makes you feel like youโre under a microscope and the spotlight is shining down on you. Whatever he sees under the lens makes him smile.
โItโs nice,โ he says softly. โThat youโre so genuine with him. He doesnโt get that very often.โ
The words hit like a punch to the gut. Couldn't he have used a word other than โgenuineโ? Because you arenโt genuine, far from it, and that realisation makes your stomach drop, nausea blooming sharp and sudden and upheaving the contents.
You approached Gojo with a plan just like all those who have approached him with ulterior motives in the past. And youโve used him for his friendship and his willingness to help, to get closer to the person right in front of you.
You are no better than the people Geto just described. Worse, even.
Heat rushes to your face, then drains away just as quickly, leaving you cold.
You push your chair back abruptly, the legs scraping loudly against the floor.
โWhere did Gojo go?โ you ask, wincing internally.
Geto blinks up at you, startled by the sudden shift. โOh, uh.โ He gestures vaguely toward the exit. โHe said he had to help meโthat is, his friend unlock his door. He's probably back in his room now though.โ
You nod too quickly, already stuffing your laptop into your bag with fumbling hands, cables tangling as if theyโre conspiring against you.
โAre you going after him?โ Geto asks gently.
You freeze for a split second.
Are you?Here you are, sitting across from the person you supposedly like, the person you engineered this entire situation to get closer to, and youโre about to abandon the conversation to chase after his best friend. This is your chance, the perfect golden opportunity, and youโre throwing it away. and yet, you canโt bring yourself to completely doubt yourself.
โYeah,โ you say, half a smile hovering on your lips. โIโm so sorry. Thereโs just something I need to say to him.โ
You bite your lip.
โSee you at the match though?"
Getoโs surprise melts into an easy grin. "Don't worry about it. Good luck. And Y/N, seriously, take care of him, okay?โ
The words prick at your skin with a faint sense of deja vu, but you donโt stop to examine it. Instead, you give Geto one last shaky smile, sling your bag over your shoulder, and hurry toward the exit. Your heart pounds so loudly it drowns everything else.ย
You knock at what you believe is his door if memory serves correct.
โGo away, I'm jerking it.โ
You canโt decide if heโs being serious or just scaring unwanted guests away. Regardless, you clear your throat and talk.
โSorry for interrupting? Look, itโs me, itโs Y/N. Can I come in?โ
No sooner had you said your name, the door flies open, Gojo standing right behind, eyes wide and face flushed.
โY/N?ย What are youโI mean, I thought you had that date with Suguru?โ He goes to run a hand through his hair but pauses, switching to his other hand.
โYeah well, clearly I left him to come see you.โ You sigh deeply and brush past him into his room. โThereโs something I need to say to you and itโs really eating up at me for some reason.โ
โNo sure, go ahead. Walk right in,โ he mumbles but doesnโt try to stop you, instead closing the door gently. โWhat are you doing here? Because if youโre here to gloat or have a girl talk, Shoko is the one for you.โ
You flop onto his couch, staring up at his ceiling. He pauses before following, the couch cushions dipping under his weight as he drops down beside you.
โGojo, Iโm really sorry,โ you say, turning to him.
He stares back unamused. โI told you to call me Satoru.โ
You blink, momentarily caught off guard before correcting yourself. โSatoru. I'm really sorry.โ
โOkay.โ His frown lifts and he leans back to look at you. โAbout what?โ
You open your mouth, then close it again, suddenly unsure where to even start.
โAbout everything?โ You try weakly.
He raises a brow. โThat narrows it down.โ
You groan, dragging a hand over your face. โOkay, specifically I feel like I've been using you and being annoying and dragging you into my mess. And also I abandoned you in the library which was rude and I donโt know what I was thinking. I guess I wasn't and I'm really sorry.โ
Gojo blinks at you and you hold your breath for the verdict.
โ...thatโs it?โ
โThatโs not โitโ, thatโs a lot,โ you argue, pushing yourself up. โYou've been helping me this whole time and I'm just barging into your life, asking for unreasonable favors and taking up your time.โ
He watches you for a long moment, something unreadable flickering behind his eyes, surprise, confusion, maybe even something softer that he quickly buries under a flippant expression.
โThat's it?โ he repeats, slower this time.
You nod, twisting in your fingers together in your lap, the fight leaving your body as quick as it came. โI mean, it's not nothing. I know I've been a lot. And you didnโt have to help me at all, with any of it, but you did and Iโฆโ Your voice falters. โI don't want you to think I was justโฆ using you.โ
Silence settles between you, thick but not entirely uncomfortable. The hum of his mini fridge in the corner fills the gaps. Somewhere down the hall, a door slams and laughter echoes faintly before fading.
Gojo exhales through his nose and leans back, head tipping against the couch cushion as he stares up at the ceiling.
โYouโre terrible,โ he mutters.
He turns his head to look at you properly, blue eyes sharp in a way that makes your chest tighten. Up close like this, without the buffer of banter or crowds or motion, itโs impossible to ignore how intense he can be when he isnโt performing for anyone. You've had the privilege to see this side of him a few times, and the thought that heโs let you in and youโve only gone and used him fills you with more guilt.
โYou didnโt abandon me in the library,โ he continues. โI left on my own free will, remember?โ
โYeah butโโ
โAnd youโre not using me,โ he adds, voice flattening slightly. โIf you were, then you arenโt using me to my full potential.โ
You huff a weak laugh. โThanks?โ
โI mean it,โ he says, not smiling. โPeople who use others donโt show up at their door looking like theyโre going to throw up from guilt.โ
Heat creeps up your neck. โI did not look like that.โ
โYou did,โ he says easily. โStill kind of do.โ
You shove his shoulder lightly. He barely moves, solid as ever, but the corner of his mouth lifts and the tension in your chest loosens at the sight.
โSoโฆ youโre not mad?โ You ask carefully.
He considers that more seriously than you expected. โI was.โ
The worry comes back tenfold.
โBut not for the reason you think. So stop looking like youโve aged ten years, sweets, itโs not a good look on you.โ
You wait for him to elaborate but he doesnโt.
You sigh, unable to keep up with the emotional whiplash and opt to instead throw it all away.
โOkay, well thatโs cryptic," you mutter.
He shrugs. โI'm a mysterious guy. Itโs all part of the irresistable, untouchable charm.โ
โI donโt see how you can be mysterious when youโre so loud.โ
โI open up to you and this is what I get?โ
โYou did not open up.โ
He turns his head back toward the ceiling. โAnd now I'm closing back down.โ
You roll your eyes, but the knot in your chest has loosened enough that you can breathe again, you almost miss this back and forth and it seems he does too because he relaxes fully into his couch. Without thinking, you mimic him, shoulder brushing his. This time, neither of you moves away.
The proximity feels different than before. You've been closer to him than this, and you randomly recall being on his lap for some reason unrelated to this specific moment and the charged, quiet atmosphere.
After a moment, he speaks again, softer.
โDid you at least get what you wanted?โ
You hesitate, the question knocking you out of orbit. โI think so. I mean he asked me to go to the game with him. and then a bookstore after.โ
Gojo goes still beside you.
โMy game?โ He shakes his head with a scoff. โFigures. Well, good for you.โ
You twist the fabric of your sleeve between your fingers, suddenly unsure why that answer feels so unsatisfying.
โYeah,โ you say anyway, forcing brightness into your voice. โIt is good.โ
He hums noncommittally, eyes still fixed somewhere on the ceiling. For someone who never shuts up, his silence feels louder than anything he could say. You sneak glances at him from the corner of your eye, observing the strong curve of his nose, the harsh bob of his Adam's apple, the rise and fall of his chest and his big hands youโve had the opportunity to feel on your ass.
The quiet stretches, though it is far from quiet inside your head.
Then, before you can stop yourself, youโre already opening your mouth.
โCan I ask you something?โ
His gaze slides to you instantly, sharp and attentive as if he was waiting for you to break the silence first. โNot to be that guy but you just did.โ
โA real question.โ You roll your eyes though his somewhat predictable rage bait helps ease some tension. Still, you hesitate, throat tight. If you say it out loud, it becomes real and no longer a suppressed fantasy. But if you donโt say anything, this feeling in your chest might never go away, tainting every future you might have with Geto.
โHow do you know what youโre doing?โ You ask.
One white brow lifts. โIn what context? I'm good at a lot of things. You're gonna have to narrow it down, sweets.โ
You groan softly. โWith girls. Withโฆ touching. And stuff. Etcetera.โ
Understanding dawns slowly, then all at once. You donโt catch the shift in experience because you stare stubbornly at your hands clasp in your lap, heat flooding your face.
โOh.โ
โI just donโt know,โ you admit, voice small. โI don't know what I'm doing at all and itโs embarrassing.โ
He sits up a little, attention sharpening in a way that makes your skin prickle.
โY/N.โ
You press on before he can interrupt. โI mean, I know theoretically, obviously. That's what bio class is for right? But I know in practice Iโll just freeze. Or overthink or do nothing. And if things ever go further with Geto, I don't want to be useless. You mentioned heโs had exes before, right? But I haven't. And that kind of sucks to think about.โ
Then softly. โYou're probably the closest thing to experience I have.โ
โUseless,โ he starts. โIs not the right word I'd use. Suguru would never think that. Heโs not a dick.โ
You finally look at him. โI donโt want him to regret it. Or think I'm awkward. or that I don't want him.โ
He studies you for a long moment, jaw tight, eyes searching your face like heโs looking for something he hopes not to find. โAnd youโre telling me this becauseโฆ?โ
You scoff. โYou're not stupid. I mean sure, you almost failed babyโs first statistics but youโre not dumb.โ
โNo, I guess I'm not, thanks,โ he sighs, running a hand through his hair. โBut I was kind of hoping maybe I'm still fantasising.โ
โYou were fantasising before?โ
โLet's not go there.โ
โItโs a Friday,โ you say slowly. "Shouldn't you have a hook up right about now?โ
He pouts, looking oddly down. โI wasn't feeling like it.โ
โSo you had to use your hand.โ
โI wasn't jerking off, Y/N.โ
Neither of you believe that statement. Here you are, sitting on the couch of campus heartthrob Gojo Satoru, joking around about the lack of a female body against him while youโre upset about being a virgin. Even Gojo, who isnโt admittedly the best at math, shouldnโt struggle with putting two and two together.
โRight, I believe you.โ You bite your lip, opening your eyes wider as you plead. โI just hate feeling unprepared. Youโve seen just how bad I freeze. Canโt you help me?โ
He chews on his lips aggressively before finally groaning, running a hand down his face. โYou have the worst ideas known to man. Fine. I'll help you. But we're stopping if it gets weird.โ
โObviously.โ
โDo you even remember how to kiss?โ
โFind out for yourself.โ
You grab his collar and tug him towards you, smacking your lips against his the second heโs in range. It's not the graceful, fireworks-exploding moment from rom-coms, more like two magnets clashing awkwardly, teeth bumping before you recall the right angle. Gojo chuckles into the kiss, the vibration tickling your mouth, and you pull back just enough to glare at him.
โIt hurts that you donโt remember my lessons, sweets,โ Gojo purrs, clearly enjoying your fluster.
โShut up and kiss me properly,โ you mutter, snarky even as your cheeks burn.
You dive back in, and this time it clicks, most likely due to his more active participation. Your lips move in sync, his tongue slipping past your teeth. It's surprisingly nice, all heat and shared air, making your stomach flip in a way thatโs equal parts nerves and excitement. You didnโt realise how much you were craving this since the last time.
Gojoโs hands stay loose on your waist, respectful but firm, until he deepens the kiss with a low hum. You feel him shift under you, his body reacting before his brain catches up. When you break apart for air, his eyes are darker, pupils blown wide. He adjusts his hips, and thereโs no missing the semi-hard bulge straining against his jeans because it nudges insistently against your inner thigh.
You both look down.
โUh, yeah,โ he says, voice a little rough, something like accusation in his eyes as he glares down at Gojo junior.ย โGuess that means you do remember lesson one after all. Mind if I lose the pants?โ
You snort, trying to play it cool despite the heat pooling in your gut. โNot so reluctant now, huh?โ
โGame is game.โ
He grins, all cock swagger, and pops the buttons off his jeans. They slide down his legs in a heap, leaving him in snug black boxers that do nothing to hide his growing interest. Gojoโs leaner than youโd pegged him for, abs carved from lazy gym sessions, waist dipping in before flaring to solid shoulders. But your eyes zero in lower, where his cock twitches half-hard against the fabric, outlining a decent length thatโs got you curiously intrigued rather than intimidated.
When he sits back down, he leans back on his palms and smirks. โYou can touch me, you know. I bet itโs better than just looking.โ
โAnywhere?โ
โI'm practically offering myself up to you on a platter. Yes, Y/N. Everywhereโs fair game.โย
You eye him for a little longer. He's not as big as he carried himself around to be.
As if sensing your unspoken realisation, he hurriedly explains, "I'm not completely hard yet.โ
You nod, sympathetically. โRight, no I get it.โ
โIโm serious, Y/N, stop looking at me like that.โ
He grabs your hand and places it on his abs, ignoring your sudden squeak.
โYouโre going to have to work to get me there.โ He watches as you hesitate, his heartbeat quickening slightly under your touch.
โThis seems less like teaching and more like you just wanting someone to get you off.โ
โYouโre learning.โ Despite his teasing tone, he eases you closer to him. โLook, itโs not exactly rocket science and what I tell you probably wonโt apply to everyone. But most guys are animals so if you can make them feel good then thatโs all that matters. What's meta for most guys though is probably their neck and lower stomach. But you can start anywhere.โ
His smirk falters just a tad when you explore, tentatively at first, palms sliding over his ribs and thumbs brushing his nipples until they pebble under your touch. Gojoโs breath hitches, but he keeps it together, murmuring encouragement. โI guess you could try there too. Fuck, this is kind of embarrassing. Canโt you be normal and go at my neck or something?โ
โYour neck?โ Your fingers slide up to touch him there but he laughs and gently brushes your hand away.
โOkay, donโt strangle me. When I say touch, I don't just mean with your fingers. You can touch your lips too, canโt you?โ
You bite your lips and nod, wetting them quickly with your tongue. You lean in closer, your lips finding the pulse point of his neck. It's a quick peck at first, testing, and he just arches a brow, unimpressed.
Fine, challenge accepted.
You brace yourself on his shoulders and lick a slow stripe up the tendon, tasting salt and faint cologne which isnโt the best tasting thing in the world, so you nibble the skin. Gojo hums, head tilting to give you better access, and you dive in, sucking lightly, alternating with kisses that leave faint marks.
Itโs heady, this rush of control. His bare chest radiates warmth against your arm, heavy breaths ghosting your ear as he lets you lead.
โHungry, are you?โ Gojo finds his footing against the absurd situation because if thereโs one thing he knows, itโs receiving attention from pretty women. If he closes his eyes like so, focusing only on the cute licks against his neck, he can almost ignore the fact that itโs coming from you. โI'd be careful not to leave any marks. Girls get jealous easily, you know?โ
You roll your eyes at his very unsexy comment. He's underestimating you, youโre sure he is, and youโre even more determined to prove him wrong.
You kiss down his neck, licking at the column of his neck, and when you find this soft patch of skin, pale under your lips and glimmering with a thin layer of sweat, you do what your instincts roar at you to do and bite him as heโs mid yapping.
โI never really let girls kiss me like this, so be grateful that Iโohfuck!โ
Gojoโs reaction is immediate as a downright sinful moan escapes his pretty lips unchecked. His hands tighten in your hips, head dropping forward, panting as he catches his breath from the sudden sharp inhale.
You let go, licking at the mark left behind. โOh, sorry. You donโt do marks, right?โ
โThat wasโฆโ He trails off, eyes dark as he holds you in his gaze. โJesus, sweets, where did you even learn that kind of stuff?โ
You shrug, letting him hold you back and feeling a little bit like a rabid animal. โIt was just something I wanted to do. Was it bad? Did it hurt?โ
โNo, it was fine. Keep going justโฆ use your hands a bit more too,โ he hurries to add on, clearing his throat and loosening his hold on you. โIt feels better if you use both your mouth and hands at the same time. Keep going, but donโt forget the rest of me.โ
Finding no error in his words, you enthusiastically go back to kissing and sucking on his neck, tasting the salt of his sweat. Meanwhile, you slide your hands down his chest, marveling at how smooth he feels despite his muscle.
When you graze your finger tips between the medial line of his abs, you feel him shiver and you detach your lips from his neck to watch his eyes track your every move, hungry and unblinking.
โAtta girl,โ he rasps, abs flexing under your palm and he shivers as you slide even further down, hand hovering his stomach. His cock visibly thickens in his boxers as you trace the ridges of his abs.โThatโs it. Take your time, sweets. I'm not going anywhere.โ
You never considered that Gojo would be so vocal during sex, not that this even counted as sex yet. If anything, that made you even more curious, wondering if he himself knew how much he was talking and how little any of it even meant. In case he didnโt, you didnโt dare talk in case it would break the spell.
Your fingers skim the waistband of his boxers and he sucks in a breath, voice dropping an octave.
โFuck, yeah. Thatโs the spot.โ The fabric tents fully now, his cock hard and straining, the tip outlined clearly. It's thicker than you expected, pulsing with need, and the sight sends a thrill straight to your core.
Gojoโs eyes flick between your hand and your face, flushed and focused. โSee? told you itโd wake up. want to see all of it?โ
You nod, eyes trained on his bulge.
He grins, taking your hands to hook your thumbs into the sides of his boxers. He helps you slightly though he lets you do most of the work. Emboldened, you tug the boxers down just enough to free his cock, watching it spring up, thicker now, veins prominent along the shaft, the head flushed and glistening with a bead of precum.
Your first words are, of course, very sexy.
โOh damn.โ
Gojo laughs breathlessly. For my own ego, I'm going to take that as a good thing.โ
โIt just doesnโt look how I expected it to.โ
That makes him frown. He ducks his head to meet your gaze. โHey. She has feelings too, you know. Donโt imply that sheโs ugly, sheโll sag.โ
โShe?โ It's so ridiculous you snort, the nervousness running away to let curiousity fuel your movements once again, fingers curling around his hot, velvety length. He's rock hard under your soft touch, precum slicking your palm as you pump him experimentally. Gojo groans low in his throat, head falling back against the couch.
โShit, just likeโnghโthat,โ he grits out, voice wrecked. The sound hits you like a spark, raw and primal, making your thighs clench. โMyโmy dick has she/her pronouns. Itโs 2026 now, get woke.โ
Still looking at you, he takes your hand again, wrapping it around his shaft.
โHold it properly. Feel how hot it is.โ
He groans softly as you hold him, guiding your hand up and down in a slow stroke, pressing down where heโs sensitive just the way he likes it. โSqueeze gently and twist your wrist as you move.โ
He demonstrates the twist motion, his large hand enveloping yours, precum beading at his tip from both the sight and feel of you.
He lets you go, leaning back on his elbows, enjoying the view of you jacking him off. โYouโre a natural, keep going, just like that.โ
His breathing becomes heavier, his abdomen tensing. He canโt help but buck slightly into your hand.
Despite his unattractive dirty talk, it doesnโt drive away the power you feel and it doesnโt take away from the sounds, the way his body trembles under your control. It's all so intoxicating, way better than any awkward fumble youโve imagined with Geto late at night with your hands down your pants.
To shut him up, you squeeze a little tighter and he hisses, pulling you away.
โSlow down,โ he pants, catching his breath. He closes his eyes for a moment before locking you in a fierce gaze. โDo you usually shove your finger inside when youโre dry?โ
โWhat?โ
โThis is why lube exists, woman. God, my poor lady,โ He looks up at you, eyes trailing down from your eyes to your lips.
โPlease donโt refer to your dick as a lady.โ
โIโve gotten no complaints so far.โ Gojo reaches up, tracing your bottom lip with his thumb, dragging it down slightly. โHave you ever spat on anyone?โ
โExcuse me?โ You look down at him as if heโs grown another head.
He lets out a strangled groan, hips bucking up under you. โYeah, keep looking at me like that and spit on my dick. Give her the good old hawk tuah.โ
Your grimace only grows and he bites his lip, the corners quirking up. โPlease,โ he whispers and youโve lost.
The word hangs between you like a dare, his blue eyes locked on yours, all wide and pleading in a way that clashes hilariously with his usual attitude if the unsure quiver to his lips didnโt wreck you.
Gojoโs cock throbs in your loose grip, the head leaking more precum that drips down the shaft, making your fingers slick without even trying. You hesitate, face heating up at the sheer audacity, but the way his abs tense, the subtle roll of his hips begging for more, chips away at your resistance.
โFine,โ you mutter, rolling your eyes to mask the flutter in your stomach and you must have imagined the way he groans. โBut just know Iโm judging you the entire time.โ
โEven better,โ he moans.
You lean over him, one hand steadying on his thick thighs, firm muscle under smooth skin, and purse your lips as you spit on him. Itโs awkward as hell, the glop of spit landing off-centre on the underside of his shaft, but you smear it around with your palm.
The glide turns smoother instantly, wet and filthy, your strokes picking up speed as his cock slicks up fully.
Gojoโs reaction is immediate, a deep, rumbling moan spills from his chest, his head knocking back against the couch with a thud, not that he notices. โFuuuck, yesโthatโs it, just like that.โ
His hands fist the fabric of the couch on either side of his hips, knuckles white, like heโs fighting not to grab you and take over. But he doesnโt, he lets you work him, hips jerking up in shallow thrusts to meet your rhythm, the tip bumping your palm on every upstroke.
โKeep going, tighterโฆ shit, youโre killing me here.โ
The power rush hits you harder now, watching him come undone under your touch. His cock feels massive in your hand, thick and veined, pulsing hotly as you pump from base to tip, thumb swiping over the slit to collect more precum and spread it down. You can feel every ridge, every twitch, and itโs nothing like the vague fantasies youโd spun about Geto. This is real, messy, and way more intense. Your own arousal builds, thighs pressing together as you grind subtly against nothing, the heat between your legs turning insistent.
โDoes itโฆ feel good?โ You ask, voice breathy and you slow your strokes just to tease, squeezing the base and watching in awe as a fresh bead of precum pearl at the head.
He cracks one eye open, gaze hazy and dark, lips parted in a pant. โGood? Sweets, donโt sell yourself short.โ
A grin tugs at his mouth but it falters into a groan when you resume, faster now, the wet schlick of your hand echoing in the room causing you to squirm.
โDonโt stop,โ he all but whines. โGonna cum if you keep this up. Want me to, sweets? Want me to paint your hand or what?โ
The crudeness should turn you off, but it doesnโt, it only amps up the thrill, making you bold. You nod, biting your lip as you lean closer, free hand bracing on his chest to feel his heart hammering.
โYeah, do it. cum for me.โ
Gojoโs control snaps like a rubber band. his moans pitch higher, body arching as his cock swells in your grip, veins bulging. โFuckโfuck, canโt help it, Iโm gonnaโโ
He bucks hard once, twice, and then heโs erupting, thick spurts of cum shooting from the tip to splatter your fingers, his stomach, even a streak across his abs. It's hot, sticky, rope after rope as you milk him through it, not knowing what else to do. You slow your strokes until heโs spent, twitching sensitively in your palm.ย
He slumps back, chest rising and falling like he ran a marathon, a lazy, disbelieving laugh bubbling out. He runs a hand down his face, groaning softly.
โI amโฆโ He lets out another breathless laugh, head dropping back against the armrest of the couch. โSo fucking washed. What the hell was that, sweets?โ
You blink, a little dazed yourself. Your hand is still loosely wrapped around him, slick and messy, and only when his eyes flick down do you jolt and snatch your hand back like youโve been burnt.
โIโI donโt know,โ you mumble, gratefully accepting the tissue he hands you, awkwardly deciding to dab at his stomach and abs too, anywhere your eyes can safely land that isnโt his softening cock. โThat wasโฆ hey, wait a minute. Shouldnโt i be asking you? What the hell was that spitting thing?โ
He shrugs, your body moving with the motion as you remain on his lap. โI told you, thereโs some things some guys like and some donโt. As a note of reference, maybe donโt spit on Suguru. Youโll kill his ego.โ
He has the audacity to smirk at the thought considering the state of him, hair a mess, cheeks flushed, mouth pink and kiss-swollen from all the swearing and groaning.
โYou're disgusting,โ you accuse weakly, trying not to think about how heโd looked under you a few seconds ago, jaw slack, eyes glazed, like youโd wrung the soul out of him.
โMmm.โ His gaze drags over your face, down the line of your throat, lingering a beat too long at your chest before he drags it back up. โSo, how are you feeling after all that?โ
โEmbarrassed,โ you say immediately.
โBut kinda turned on, too?โ he guesses, just as fast.
Your mouth drops open. โI did not say that.โ
โDonโt have to,โ he says, maddening. โYouโre still sitting on me, you know.โ
You freeze. You're still straddling his lap, knees planted on either side of his thighs on the couch, hips pressed to his, fingers bunched at his stomach. You'd be so focused on that scrunched up look on his face when he came that you kind of forgot to be mortified about the position.
Now you remember.
โI was busy,โ you mutter, shifting like youโre about to climb off.
His hands come up automatically, one at your waist, one braced at your hip, holding you there without quite pulling you back down. โHey, hey. I didn't say you had to move.โ
โBut youโre allโฆโ you wave a hand vaguely at his lap, face burning. โPost-nut clarity or whatever. You should be resting or something.โ
โThatโs hilarious, do you think Iโm an old man?โ He huffs a laugh. โIf my stamina lasted one puny handjob I would never show my face anywhere. Hey, donโt glare at me like that. you know what that does to me. you glaring at me and spitting on my cock while you jerk me offโfuck.โ
โDon't say it like that,โ you hiss, heat flooding your chest. โYou literally told me to.โ
โAnd you did so good,โ he croons. โLook at you, all flustered now. You were seconds away from calling me pathetic, you know.โ
โHow are you turning this on me? Youโre the one that liked it,โ you shoot back, shoulder tensing.
His fingers flex at your waist, like heโs remembering it. โYeah. I really, really did.โ
The way he says it sends a tiny shiver through you. You feel ridiculously aware of yourself suddenly, of your damp palms on his chest, of the way your thighs are pressed around him, of the restless thrum under your skin youโve been trying not to notice since he first groaned for you.
You shift again, intending to put some space between you, and hiss as the movement drags you a little too firmly against him, sparking through the ache low in your belly.
You go very still and so does he.
His eyes flicker, dropping for a fraction of a second to the point where your hips meet his. You can feel the change in him, no longer wrecked and loose-limbed, but sharpened like heโs honing in on every tiny flinch.
โOh,โ he says softly. โFeeling something, sweets?โ
โDonโt start,โ you warn, feeling every urge to catapult yourself off his lap. His hand tightens on your waist, thumbs rubbing absent circles, maddeningly casual. โCan you let me go already?โ
โBut itโs not over yet, are you sure you want to miss the best part? If I said I wanted to make it your turn, would you say no?โ
The question hangs between you, heavier than his usual teasing.
โThis isnโtโฆ about that.โ
โSure it is,โ he whispers, lips curved into a wicked grin. โYou wanna learn how to make a guy feel good right? Then you also need to know what you like. If you know what works for you, itโs easier to tell him what works for him.โ
Has Gojo always been so reasonable?
โBesides,โ he continues when youโre not rushing to sign up to his touch. โIโm being selfless here. You canโt seriously think I'd let you walk out of here without repaying the favour first, right?โ
โWay to sound like a douche.โ You swat at his chest, a weak attempt to appear levelheaded.
โHow else am I supposed to say it?โ He laughs softly, catching your wrist but not pushing it away, thumb stroking over your pulse. โI want to touch you. properly. Can I?โ
Your stomach swoops.
โJust to know what it feels like?โ
โExactly.โ His smile goes crooked at the edges. โNow youโre getting it.โ
You stare at him, breathing shallow. Your heart is thudding way too fast. youโre hyperaware of your own body again, of the way your panties stick uncomfortably, of the restless ache thatโs only been getting worse, of how easy it would be to fall into his tempting embrace.
โHey, come back to me,โ Gojo murmurs. โWe don't have to do anything you donโt want. I promise I'm not a dick. So? What do you want, sweets?โ
You look down at where his hands rest, big and warm on your hips, fingers flexing like heโs trying very hard to stay put.
You could say no, you know that. He'd let you hop off, probably make a dumb joke to break the tension, and the both of you can go back to pretending the constant physical touch is driving you up the wall. But you also know your legs are still a little unsteady, and that every time you shift you have to bite back a sound you really donโt want him to hear.
You swallow, hard.
โYou have to listen,โ you say finally. โIf I say stop, you stop. and none of your stupid comments either.โ
His expression sobers instantly, hands jumping a little at your hips. โPromise. Cross my heart, hope to die, stick a needle in my eye.โ
โIโm telling you, when you say shit like that, everything goes back inside.โ
โYeah, yeah, I get it, you want me quiet. So can I touch you or are you going to keep torturing us both?โ
โYou deserve the torture,โ you grumble, then quieter, โBut, yeah. okay.โ
He hums. โNot good enough. Say it again?โ
You bite back a complaint. โI want you toโฆtouch me.โ
It comes out barely more than a whisper, but it hits him like a truck. His eyes darken, lashes lowering as he sucks in a breath. One moment youโre straddling him, the next heโs sat up and turned you around so your back leans against his chest, his breath tickling your neck.
โYou donโt know what you do to me,โ he groans, hands sliding down to your stomach. His fingers play with the hem, nails barely grazing your bare skin. โCan I?โ
You shiver, looking down to watch his hands with anticipation. Swallowing, you brace yourself and nod.
โGood girl,โ he breathes.
His hand trails under your shirt, fingertips tracing nonsense shapes on your skin. He doesnโt go straight where you know youโre aching for him to go. Instead, he takes his time, mapping out the sensitive spots he finds, where your muscles jump when he squeezes, lowering his hand to where your breath stutters when he drags his knuckles along the inside of your thigh.
โYou're wound so tight,โ he murmurs, half to himself. โRelax for me, Y/N.โ
โShut up and stop teasing,โ you hiss, and then gasp when his hand finally slips higher, brushing over the edge of your waistband.
โIs that a no?โ He asks instantly, stilling.ย
]You want to throttle him. โIโm justโฆ nervous.โ
โOf course you are,โ he says, voice going stupidly soft in your ear, hands playing with the fabric. โThe first timeโs always weird. But it doesnโt have to be bad-weird.โ
He slowly slips his hand under the band, feeling you go still.
โHey.โ He presses his lips to your hair, mumbling soft words of praise. โYou're okay, youโre doing good. Just breathe for me.โ
You do, albeit shakily, his fingertips brushing the damp centre of your panties.
โYouโre alreadyโฆ Jesus," he says quickly. โI really did a number on you, huh? And without even touching you, too.โ
โIf you donโt shut up, I'm leaving,โ you threaten weakly.
He chuckles, guiding your attention away. Gojo slides your shorts down so you can see exactly where his fingers press against, a rush of heat flooding your cheeks at the sight of his thick fingers prodding against the backdrop of the panties you chose out this morning. If you knew something like this would happen, you would have worn something else.
Gojo thankfully doesnโt comment on it. Instead, he slowly explores, no sudden movements, no overwhelming pressure, just the occasional slide against your clit.
โOkay?โ he asks, and you realise youโve gone silent, holding your breath again.
โYeah,โ you gasp. โJust feel different thanโnevermind.โ
โDifferent good?โ He prompts, thumb pressing down on your clit and you jolt, an audible inhale escaping you.
You feel his arms tighten around you.
โOh, there we go,โ he mutters, sounding ridiculously pleased with himself. โThat got you.โ
You donโt dignify that with an answer, not that you have the capacity to because the next moment, heโs moving his fingers with practiced purpose. His thumb circles your swollen clit through the damp fabric, the barrier muffling any sharp pleasure though it helps you wrap your head around the sensation.
When you start lifting your hips to meet his touch, he knows he has you where he wants you.
With his other fingers, he slowly slides your panties to the sides and touches you directly. The effect is immediate, your eyes snap down to watch, body tensing, want like youโve never known it before shocking you.
The sight of your own arousal makes you wetter and he abandons his touch to touch you directly.
โLook at that,โ he coos in your ear, voice breathy with awe and smug satisfaction. โHere you were acting like you wanted to leave when youโre this wet. Thought I wouldn't know, sweets? That I couldn't see you eye my dick all hungry like that?โ
He emphasises his words with a harsh pinch of your clit and your head falls back to rest on his shoulders with a filthy moan ripped from your throat, raw and unprocessed.
Gojo takes the chance to kiss your neck.
You should hit him for his words, you really should. But instead, your hand flies up to his forearm, nails digging in when he slides a finger to circle your entrance and the world briefly whites out.
He groans quietly, like your reaction is doing something to him. โThatโsโfuck, youโre so cute. Do that again.โ
โDonโt tease,โ you say again, voice barely there and brain too mushy to think of something original.
And like he knows, Gojo slowly slides a finger into your pussy and the pressure temporarily pushes out all of the pleasure. But then his free hand is playing with your clit and heโs telling you how good you are and how pretty you sound, and it comes back.
He thrusts that finger in and out slowly, letting you adjust to the intrusion and when youโre sighing soft moans and broken demands again, he curls it and doesnโt stop moving. He could easily overpower you, could pin you down and take, take, take, but he doesnโt. Every time you tense like you might pull away, he backs off just enough, murmuring at your ear, though by the time youโre close you havenโt panicked in a while.
Heโs the one breathing hard when you start to chase your peak, like heโs the one being touched.
Youโre writhing now, his arms having to tighten around you to keep you still as he slides another finger inside.ย
โThatโs it,โ he whispers, panting when your thighs clamp around his hand, head tipped back on his shoulders and eyes starting to roll back. โThere you go. I've got you. Let go for me, yeah? Doing so good for me, sweets.โ
โS-Satoru,โ you choke out, the name ripped from somewhere deep.
His whole body jolts behind you and you feel a twitch near your ass.
โOh, fuck,โ he groans, like youโve done something filthy. โSay my name like that again, I swear to godโโ
You donโt because suddenly, youโre gone.
His fingers pressed against the spongy spot inside, his thumb circling your clit, and suddenly everything tightens then snaps and youโre tumbling, shaking around the steady anchor of his hand and his arm and his voice in your ear. He doesnโt speed up, letting you ride your orgasm on his hand, mumbling sweet nothings against your sweaty neck.
Itโs messy and overwhelming and a little scary for a second, then his palm is flat over your lower stomach, grounding you as waves of sensation roll through your body. His other hand finally gentles and you can breathe again.
When you finally slump back against him boneless, the room feels dimmer. your chest heaves, skin prickling with aftershocks that he guides you through.
He eases his hand away and wipes it on his pants, keeping you steady on his lap.
โHey,โ he says softly, lips brushing your hairline. โYou still with me?โ
You nod, or at least you try to. โI think so.โ
โYeah?โ He presses, smiling against your skin.
โYeah.โ
โGood.โ he exhales like heโs been holding his breath with you. โYou did amazing, sweets.โ
โYou're making me sound like a dog.โ
โWell, you were very obedient,โ he says lightly, then winces. โOkay, that sounded kinda bad.โ
He huffs a quiet laugh, the sound rumbling through his chest where youโre still half-leaning against him. One of his hands comes up, hovering for a second like he isnโt sure if touching you again is allowed, then settles gently at your side.
You catch your breath, stealing a glance. His hair is a mess, cheeks flushed, eyes still blown wide but thereโs something softer around the edges, so different from his usual cocky composure that it does something strange to your chest.
โYou're the worst,โ you mumble, just to say something.
โOh?โ his brows lift. โYou seemed pretty satisfied with the lesson.โ
You keep your mouth shut because there is absolutely no winning that argument.
Silence falls, not heavy nor awkward, but certainly unfamiliar. Without the distraction of movement or adrenaline, your mind starts spinning into the consequences of your actions.
And the fact that youโre still sitting between his thighs.
You stiffen and he notices immediately.
โUh. Do youโฆ want toโโ
โYes,โ you say at the exact same time he says, โWe should probablyโโ
You both stop, voice overlapping as you tell each other to continue then stop again. Itโs funny if not awkward and you laugh, startled and breathless.
โOkay,โ he says, hands lifting slightly in surrender. โYou first.โ
โNo, you go,โ you insist, scrambling upright a little too fast. The room tilts for half a second and you grab his thigh to steady yourself.
His hands hover again, then settle at your waist just in case.
โCareful,โ he murmurs. โYouโre still a littleโฆ yโknow?โ
You straighten and stand away from the couch, legs wobbling in a way you pretend not to notice. The cool air hits your skin and reality comes rushing back in a tidal wave of embarrassment.
Your skirt rests on your thighs but theyโre crumpled, and your hair is surely a mess.
Gojo watches, biting his lip hard enough to leave teeth marks. He stands too, running a hand through his hair, suddenly looking almost shy as he grabs his discarded shirt and pulls it back on.
For a moment, neither of you know where to look.
You fixate on a crack in the wall and he studies the floor.
โDo you, uhโฆ want me to walk you back?โ
The normalcy of the question feels surreal.
โIโm fine with walking,โ you say quickly. โThe weatherโs nice so.โ
โYeah,โ he nods. โFresh air. Definitely.โ
You grab your bag with fumbling hands, nearly knocking it off the couch in the process. He catches it before it hits the floor, fingers brushing yours again as he hands it over.
Neither of you pull away immediately. Then, you both do at the same time.
โRight,โ you say.
โRight,โ he echoes.
He opens the door for you, peeking into the hallway first before gesturing.
โYou sure you donโt want me to walk you back?โ
You almost cry at the visual of a way out. โNo, no, I'm fine. Itโs not too far anyway.โ
Gojo studies your face like heโs trying to decide whether to argue or not. For once, he doesnโt look like heโs in on some big secret. He just looks uncertain.
โIf you say so,โ he mutters, stepping aside.
You slip past him into the hallway, letting out a big sigh of relief when you hear the door close gently behind you with a soft click. Looking over your shoulder, you see Gojo follow you out anyway.
Your feet slow. โYou donโt have to, I'm really okay.โ
โIโm not,โ he says quickly, shoving his hands into his pockets. โIโm just heading in the same direction. That's all. What a coincidence?โ
โUh-huh.โ
The staircase is only a few doors down, but the short walk stretches, each step heavy with things unsaid. You can hear voices downstairs, life continuing on, oblivious.
At the top of the stairwell, you stop.
โAre we still going the same way?โ
He shakes his head.
โIโll see you around,โ you settle on when the silence stretches.
โSee you, Y/N.โ
You take one step down, then another. After a third, you glance back.
Gojo is still there, watching. your chest does something uncomfortable as he waits.
โGoodnight, Satoru,โ you say softly.
He blinks, like the name catches him off guard every time. Then he smiles, small but warm.
โNight, sweets.โ
When you reach the bottom and push out into the night air, it feels shockingly cool against your overheated skin. The campus is quiet, streetlights painting everything gold and shadowed, the distant sound of traffic humming like white noise.
You walk faster than necessary because if you slow down, the thoughts will quickly flood in. And if you start thinking, you might realise that somewhere between asking him for help and leaving his room tonight, something has gone very, very wrong.ย
Youโre not sure why you care so much.ย
You tell yourself itโs because Geto will be there, because this is a chance to make a real impression, because this is what all of it has been building toward. But as you stand in front of your mirror, turning this way and that, smoothing imaginary wrinkles, adjusting your hair for the third time, checking your reflection from angles no one in real life would ever see, you realise this isnโt normal.ย
Youโve never put this much thought into a โcasualโ outing before.ย
Not the outfit, carefully balanced between cute and effortless, like you didnโt spend forty minutes deciding between two nearly identical tops just for the jersey to cover it anyway. Not the makeup, soft enough to look natural, deliberate enough to feel like armor. Not the way your stomach flips every time you picture stepping into the arena.ย
You know deep down this isnโt about Geto. That thought alone makes your chest feel tight.ย
You grab your purse before you can overthink it further and leave.ย
When you walk into the arena, the roar of the crowd hits you like a physical force, loud and electric, buzzing with anticipation and cheer. It bleeds through the concrete walls, through your bones, and through the floor beneath your shoes.ย
The game hasnโt officially started yet, you made sure to come before then, but the energy is already at a fever pitch.
Your eyes sweep the rink automatically, searching. And you spot him immediately.ย
Gojo, in his navy and white jersey, skates across the ice like it belongs to him, like the rink exists solely to accommodate his momentum. It doesn't seem to matter that his helmet obscures most of his face, youโd recognise him anywhere. the easy confidence in the way he moves, the loose, effortless posture, the casual speed that looks like he isnโt even tryingโitโs unmistakable.ย
His hair, damp under his helmet, peeks out in soft white tufts. His cheeks are slightly flushed from exertion, breath fogging faintly in the cold air as he glides past teammates, exchanging easy shoves and taps of sticks. He's the easiest person in the world to look at and the hardest to look away from.ย
He glances up towards the stands during warm-ups, scanning lazily, and your heart stutters. You freeze, suddenly aware of yourself, of the crowd, of how ridiculous it is to hope heโll notice you among hundreds of people wearing the same colours.ย
I mean, all these people? All wearing the team jersey? And you wouldnโt call yourself beautiful, not in the kind of way that makes someone stand out across a packed arena, and certainly not in a way that draws eyes automatically, notโ
Gojo turns a little more. and then his eyes meet yours.ย
The jolt is instantaneous, sharp and electric, like touching a live wire. Your breath catches, lungs forgetting their purpose entirely as a stupid, bright grin spreads across his face.ย
A strange warmth floods your chest, blooming outward until it feels too big to contain. You bite your lip, trying and failing, to suppress your own giddy smile as you tug lightly at the hem of your jersey, lifting it just enough to show the number at the front and point at it.ย
06.ย
If it's even possible, his grin widens. He spins around without hesitation, and easily mind you, skating backward for a few seconds just to show off the back of his own jersey, jabbing a glove thumb at the matching number with pride.ย
Heat rushes to your face.ย
It's ridiculous, childish even, but your heart is pounding and the warmth in your chest swells until itโs almost overwhelming.ย
When warm-ups end, he lifts his stick in your direction in one last, unmistakable acknowledgement before skating toward the bench, where his teammates swarm him instantly. One of them hooks an arm around his neck, dragging him down while another plays bongos on his helmet, elbows digging into his ribs.ย
From this distance you canโt hear what theyโre saying, but you donโt need to. His expression gives everything away, the wide grin and mock protests, and the way he shoves them back half-heartedly while still laughing.ย
Someone whistles, another bumps his shoulder and one even points toward the stands, toward you. Your stomach flips.ย
โY/N?โย
You start, tearing your eyes away as if caught doing something incriminating. Geto stands beside you, already holding two drinks, his expression warm and easy.ย
โHey,โ he says, offering you one. โYou made it. I found seats over here, itโs a pretty good view, if I donโt say so myself. We should head over before the game starts.โย
You take the cup automatically, fingers brushing his. โThanks!โ
He smiles, guiding you through the rows of people with gentle awareness, making space and steadying you when someone brushes past too close. It's thoughtful and careful and exactly the kind of thing that made you fall for him in the first place.ย
Once seated, conversation comes easily to him. Itโs all polite small talk and soft jokes, quiet observations about the team and season. He fills in the silence like Gojo had predicted, never letting it become uncomfortable. He does all the right things that you could almost tick them off a list. He laughs at your comments like theyโre genuinely funny and asks questions that make it clear heโs paying attention.ย
It should be perfect, it should be everything youโve ever wanted.ย
And yet, your eyes drift back to the rink, to the flashes of navy and white.ย
To the tall figure leaning against the boards, helmet off now, shaking his hair as he listens to a coach, nodding absentmindedly while his gaze flicks upward.ย
Your pulse jumps when his eyes land on you again. Except this time he doesnโt grin. It might be your imagination but he seemingly looks to Geto beside you, then back, just watching.ย
You force yourself to look back at Geto, nodding at something he just said, hoping your smile looks natural and not strained.ย
BUZZWORD
The game starts fast.ย
Faster than you expected, faster than anything youโve watched on TV, faster than seems physically possible for men balancing on thin blades over frozen water. The pluck drops and suddenly the rink explodes with motion, bodies colliding, sticks clashing, skates carving violent crescents into the ice.ย
You lost track of the puck almost immediately.
Geto leans closer, voice raised just enough to carry over the roar of the crowd. โWatch Satoru, he plays center so heโll usually be in there.โ
Your eyes find him easily.ย
He moves differently from everyone else, you see, loose, flashier, or maybe thatโs just you. No, you reject that notion as he accelerates in bursts, gliding between players with impossible precision, stick tapping the ice impatiently when he doesnโt have the puck.ย
Every time he skates past your side of the rink, your chest tightens and your throat hurts a little more as you try to cheer louder.ย
The first goal goes to the other team.ย
Your side of the arena groans as one, a wave of disappointment that rattles through the stands. You feel it too, a sinking drop in your stomach, though you donโt fully understand the play that led to it.ย
Gojo slams his stick once against the ice in frustration, then shoves off hard, jaw set.ย
Geto doesnโt seem worried. โTheyโll bounce back. Satoru is the best they have, after all.โ
Just like he predicted, they do. Midway through the second period, one of Gojoโs teammates manages to slip the puck past the goalie, and the building detonates. People surge to their feet to cheer and you find yourself in that crowd, cheering without thinking, adrenaline crackling through your veins like you personally contributed.ย
On the ice, Gojo grabs the scorer by the shoulders and shakes him, helmet bumping into helmet, grin blinding even through the cage.ย
Itโs a tie game until itโs not. Another goal to the opposing side which Gojoโs team equalising moments after. Again and again, a tense back and forth that even has Geto inhaling sharply at moments.ย
By the third period, your nails are dug into the flimsy paper cup in your hand, ice long melted into a yucky watered down version of whatever was in the drink. You barely notice when Geto takes it from you and sets it aside so you donโt crush it completely.ย
The scoreboard reads 3-3 and the clock tells you thereโs two minutes left.ย
The noise is deafening now, frantic and desperate, every movement on the ice met with gasps or shouts.ย
Gojo has long since lost the playful edge from earlier. He circles near centre ice, knees bent, weight forward, eyes tracking the puck like itโs the only thing that exists in the world. A defender tries to box him out and he shrugs him off with a brutal shoulder check that makes the crowd howl.ย
The puck slides loose along the boards, ricocheting off a tangle of skates and sticks like it has a mind of its own. Someone on Gojoโs team snatches it first and fires it forward, a risky pass that slides clean across open ice, and towards him.ย
Gojo receives it in stride, blade cushioning the impact with effortless control. He doesnโt even glance down. his head is already up, scanning his way forward. A defender lunges for him and he slips past with a sharp pivot, hips twisting, edges biting deep into the ice.ย
Youโre on your feet before you realise youโve moved.ย
โGoโ!โ you scream and like a domino effect, people around you start to cheer.ย
Gojo fakes a left. The goalie commits.ย
He snaps right, dragging the puck across his body in one powerful motion, forcing the goalie to witness the outplay. And then he flicks his wrist and a sharp crack echoes across the rink.ย
The puck lifts, a black blur slicing through air, threading the narrowest gap between glove and shoulder, and slams into the back of the net.ย
For half a heartbeat, there is silence. Then the buzzer screams and the crowd erupts.ย
Sound crashes over you in a tidal wave, screaming, stomping, clapping, the metallic rattle of the stands shaking under hundreds of pounding feet. Youโre shouting too, throat tearing with it, hands flying to your mouth before dropping again because you need them free to clap and wave, anything to release all this energy exploding out of you.ย
Down on the ice, Gojo throws his head back and roars, pure exhilaration bursting out of him. His teammates collide with him seconds later, swarming him in a pile of navy and white, shoving his helmet and grabbing his shoulders, almost knocking him over in their celebration.ย
He's laughing.ย
Even through the cage, from the distance, you can see it, the wild brightness in his eyes and the way his chest heaves with adrenaline.ย
They won.ย
They actually won.ย
Youโre bouncing on your toes without realising, hands clasped in front of your mouth.ย
Gojo breaks free from the pile just enough to turn and look up into the stands. It's easier finding you this time around when he knows where to look.ย
His whole face lights up, grin splitting wide and unrestrained, so bright it feels like it could blind you, he lifts his stick and points it straight at you then thumps it once against the ice in a triumphant salute.ย
Your stomach swoops violently.ย
You laugh, breathless and giddy, lifting both hands to wave back like an idiot. Your body is already leaning forward, feet shifting as instinct screams for you to move. To go down there, to be closer, to meet him at the glass while heโs still glowing with victory looking as beautiful as youโve ever seen him, so alive that it radiates off him in waves.ย
You want to throw your arms around his neck.ย
You want to tell him that was incredible.ย
You wantโ
โY/N?โ
Getoโs voice cuts gently through the chaos, close to your ear.
You blink, tearing your gaze away from the ice to find him watching you with a small, amused smile.ย
โThat was intense,โ he says, laughter in his voice. โI forgot how crazy these games get at the end. Makes you glad you came, right?โ
โYeah,โ you breathe, though it comes out shaky and raw from all the cheering. โYeah it was. Definitely.โ
Your eyes flick down despite yourself and find Gojo still looking up, smile dimmed.ย
Geto gestures toward the aisle. โIf we leave now, we can beat the post-game crowd. The bookstoreโs only a short walk away anyway. We can find Satoru after he comes out.โย
The words land heavy in your chest. How could you forget? There was a plan in action, the reason why you came, the person youโre supposed to be focusing on.ย
โRight,โ you say, though your voice sounds far away even to your own ears.ย
On the ice, Gojoโs teammates are tugging him toward the bench, shouting in his ear and shoving him here and there. He goes easily enough, though not without one last glance at you. He tilts his chin, a silent question in your eyes, clear despite the distance.ย
Are you going?
Your fingers curl into fists at your side.ย
โReady?โ Geto asks softly.
You swallow. โ... yeah.โ
But as you turn to follow him up the aisle, the roar of the arena swelling behind you, you canโt shake that youโve made the wrong decision. You feel it, that strange, electric thread stretching thinner and thinner behind you as the tunnel swallows Gojo whole.ย
BUZZWORD
It should be fun.ย
Geto is easy to talk to, heโs polite, thoughtful and gentle, and all the right things. You trail behind him between the shelves as he talks about a book he likes, or some theory he discovered that explains so much and makes so much sense.ย
You try, you really do. You nod your head and attempt to store that information away.ย ย
But everything just doesnโt feel right. It's hard to store that information away when your head is full of that look Gojo had given you, the way his white hair had stuck out from under his helmet, damp from the effort and glory of winning, eyes sparkling under the stadium lights, the way he had lifted his stick to point at you.ย
Geto is kind. But your tastes donโt match. Your jokes land in different places. He's nice, and you do enjoy his conversation. But not in the same way you had enjoyed Gojoโs company that day in the cafe.ย
You donโt feel nervous. You donโt feel excited. Honestly, you just feel like pretending.ย
And as if the universe is screaming at you about something just beyond your grasp, when you reach for the same book, your fingers donโt brush. And you donโt want them to.ย
Getoโs phone buzzes when heโs in the middle of explaining some theories from this guy called Slavoj Zizek? He winces at whatever he reads.ย
โSorry,โ he starts, sounding genuinely apologetic. โI need to head out. But hey, hereโโ He pulls a paperback off the shelf and hands it to you. โThis is the one I was talking about. I think youโll like it.โย
you accept it automatically. โThanks,โ you say, and then heโs waving and gone the next moment, door swinging behind him.ย
For a while, you wander the bookstore in an attempt to rationalise the complex emotions warring inside you. Geto is your crush. You know this. And yet, it all feels so superficial. Gojo had been right, there was nothing personal about the things you liked about him to explain the crush.ย
You stand in the quiet of the aisle, holding a book you frankly donโt care about, surrounded by a silence that feels like the wrong choice made tangible long after the last customer walks out. Heavy rain falls outside, pelting against the roof of the store, a steady white noise that backgrounds your thoughts.ย
When the bookstore begins to close, youโre ushered outside. You swear as youโre suddenly caught in the harsh weather and through the heavy sheets of rain, there looks to be no other store open. Hastily, you run out in the rain to find some place where you can get cover over your head. Finally, you see a small awning from a closed shop.ย
You run under the awning, hugging your arms to your chest as you wait out the storm, feeling stupidly alone and stupidly unsure why youโre this upset. This is what you wanted right? But the part of your heart that has always known the truth traitorously voices the thoughts youโve been pushing down all this time.ย
Gojo.ย
Through the sheets of heavy rain, someone is running towards you. Tall, white hair, still in his jersey, his hair now damp (read: soaked) with rain water rather than sweat.
He skids under the awning, breathless, terribly drenched, an unopened umbrella in one hand.ย
โWhat the hell,โ he says immediately, voice sharp with concern and frustration. โAre you trying to get pneumonia? Why didnโt you go home? Didnโt you check the weather? It clearly said it was going to rain today!โ
You blink, gaping at his sudden presence. โWhat are you, no, why are you here? Shouldnโt you be celebrating?โ
He snorts. โYeah, I was. Until Suguru texted. Said he left you at the bookstore and for me to pick you up. Seriously, you didnโt even bring an umbrella?โ
The situation finally catches up to you and you frantically gesture to his own umbrella. โHow can you lecture me when you just ran out all the way here without opening your umbrella? itโs literally in your hands, all you had to do was open it!โย
โLike i had the time to! My legs are literally burning from the game and you made me run all this way out to save you!โ
โI never asked you to!โ
โWell, I had to!โ He steps closer, finally freeing himself from the rain completely. His presence fills up the cramped space under the awning and you catch a whiff of cedar and sweat. โI couldnโt just let you die out here in the cold!โ
Speechless, you open and close your mouth like an idiot. Finally, you manage to ask, โHow did you even know I was out here?โ
โWerenโt you listening? I told you Suguru told me he ditched you!โย
At Getoโs name, your face falls. Ah, right. your little moral dilemma about Geto.ย
Gojo also calms down a little, his chest heaving a little slower as he uses the silence to catch his breath. his eyes scan your expression, picking up on the way you bite your lip, eyes looking away.ย
โHey,โ he says, voice soft though still strained. โYou okay?โ
Your throat tightens. โI guess? I don't know. Look, sorry. I appreciate you coming.โ
โDon't give me that. Just donโt. Youโve told me every embarrassing thing about yourself when you outed that you, you know, like Suguru. Donโt hide something from me now. Are you upset that he left?โ His hand comes out to wipe water off your cheek. โDon't cry.โ
You scrunch up your face in mild disgust. โIโm not? That's literally just rain water.โ
โOh. So you're okay?โ
You inhale and let it out slowly. Were you okay? You shouldnโt be, not if Geto was your crush and he just ditched you. And yet, under Satoruโs shadow as he stands in front of you, blocking the rain, brows furrowed and lips pressed tight as he looks you over in concern, you find yourself feeling okay. More than okay.ย
โWhy do you even like him?โ He asks, quietly, a question that would have easily been lost to the rain if you werenโt hanging off his every word.ย
โI told you,โ you start, just as quiet. โHe saved me that one time.โย
โYeah?โ He opens the umbrella with one hand, and holds your hand in the other, gently guiding you out from under the awning. Rain hits heavy against the fabric and he holds you close to keep you out from the storm, your chest grazing his. โHe saved you that day in the rain, did he?โ
You swallow. โYeah.โ
โJust like this?โย
Mutely, you nod. In his arms, you barely notice the slight chill.ย
Gojo searches your eyes for something. He exhales, long and uneven, like heโs been holding this in for longer than heโs willing to admit. And yet, he doesnโt shy away, doesnโt tear his gaze away from yours, just keeps holding the umbrella over your head, tilted ever so slightly in your direction such that youโre completely covered.ย
โThat day,โ he says, quiet but steady, โWhen you got caught in the rain after that stupid orientation thing? Suguru wasnโt on campus. He went back home for a month before the semester started and didnโt come back until the second week. I was the one that found you.โย
Your breath falters. โWhat? But heโฆ he gave me his hoodie. His name was on the tag.โย
โYeah,โ Satoru laughs, a single disbelieving puff. โI was wearing his hoodie. He wasnโt at the dorms so I stole some of his clothes to wear. Itโs whatever, he steals some of mine sometimes. The point is, I was the one that helped you.โย
For a moment, you stop breathing entirely. The rain pours around the two of you, a curtain of noise, but itโs silent under the umbrella.ย
Youโve never seen Gojo so nervous. Definitely not before the big game earlier, not on any of the practice dates, never when he talks to a group of people. Between the two of you, nervousness came more naturally to you. And yet, standing before you vulnerable, wet lashes stuck together, cheeks flushed from running and is that a faint bruise forming on his jaw? He looks nervous and itโs a sight that sends warmth all over your face.ย
His eyes are unbearably soft as he waits for your verdict.ย
โWhy didnโt you tell me?โ Your voice sounds too small.ย
โBecause you thought it was Suguru. Because you liked him. And back then, I didn't realise that I wanted you to know it was me.โ
Your heart thuds, something a little more daring saying the next few words for you. โAnd now?โย
This moment was perfect. The two of you had been slowly closing that small gap of distance, eyes seeing nothing but each other and suddenly all those rom coms and kdramas come to mind. All those scenes of first kisses (forgetting the practices because those didnโt include real romance), all those late night conversations with Shoko about what itโs like, they all come and leave your brain.ย
But instead of leaning in and sealing the deal, Gojoโs entire body suddenly stiffens. His arm around you loosens, placing more distance between the two of you.ย
What the hell?ย
His gaze drops a little further before coming back up with a discipline that can only come from reciting the digimon opening theme over and over in his head. โNow I'm trying really, really hard not to stare at you.โ
Curious, you look down to your soaked shirt where the fabric clings painfully close, embarrassingly sheer. It only serves to emphasise the lines of your bra and though you canโt really see anything, Gojoโs face is flushed pink not just from exertion, and his jaw is tight.ย
โSatoruโโ
โmy place,โ he blurts. โwe should, uh, get you warmed up. Your shirt is literally see-through and if I have to keep pretending I don't notice, I'm going to walk myself right into traffic.โย
โThat is so dramatic.โ The beginnings of a smile causes the corner of your lips to quiver upwards at his flustered state.ย
โiโm dramatic,โ he insists, voice strained, still not looking. โnow come on. I still donโt want you catching pneumonia out here and Sig Kap is literally right near the gate. We can keep talking there when you donโt look like a puppy left out in the rain.โ
โSays you.โ You eye his white hair plastered to his forehead and smile, reaching up to move a few clinging strands from his eyes. โBut okay. Iโd like that a lot.โ
Unfortunately, the gesture makes him look back down at you, inevitably making him catch an eyeful of your chest. He closes his eyes. โLet's just go before I give you this umbrella and walk onto the road.โย
You laugh a little. โGeez, you really are dramatic.โย
He walks you to Sig Kap, refusing to stand fully under the umbrella. When you try to grab his arm and pull him under, he only launches into a talk about being a feminist and how chivalry isnโt dead and how much he hates periods and loves matcha. You laugh and he smiles down at you before looking away. Seriously, he needs to get over that.ย
At the door outside the house, Gojo stops you.ย
โHere.โ he hands you the umbrella, fingers brushing yours, before reaching down to take his jersey off. You instinctively blush and look away, but considering your state of undress it would only be fair if you stole a glance. So you peek at him from the corner of your eyes.ย
You only manage to look just below his abs when something warm and slightly damp flops over your head.ย
โHey!โ
He takes the umbrella back from you, standing in front of you and covering your back with the umbrella.. โPut that on before we head inside. Take your wet jersey off, hurry.โ
Feeling warm despite the rain, you hastily pull off your soaked top, making sure heโs looking politely away, and throw his jersey on. Itโs still damp but not as drenched as your own. Looking down, it falls past your skirt and just above your knees.ย
โYouโre going to walk in shirtless?โ
โBetter than you walking in looking like that.โ He doesnโt give you a moment to think about his words. โCome on, youโre going to catch a cold.โ
He leads you to the now familiar front door and when it opens before Gojo can even touch the doorknob, you understand the reasoning of his actions.ย
โDude!โ Hikari cheers, wrapping an arm round Gojoโs shoulders and eagerly pulling him in despite his grunt of protest. โCongrats on the win, man!โ
Hikari quickly notices your presence.ย
โOh. So youโre already celebrating, huh?โ
Gojo brushes past him, his hand holding tours to guide a path through the sweaty frat boys. โShut it, Hikari. Is Sukuna in?โ
โNah. The whole floorโs gone.โ Hikari answers, raising his voice as Gojo quickly places distance between him and you.ย
When the door of his room closes behind you both, he turns and pulls you in, his hand falling down on your hips, pulling you close. You both look like wet dogs but you couldnโt care less.
โSorry about them,โ he mumbles against your hair.ย
โItโs fine,โ you pause. โWho's sukuna?โ
โThe guy in the room next to mine.โ
โOh.โ
He hesitates, searching your eyes in the dark of his room. The storm rages on beyond his window, rain entering through a slightly ajar window, but neither of you make the responsible move to close it. Instead, you find yourself pressing up against him, hoping for more.ย
โSweets,โ he says, his voice low. โPlease donโt tell me this is still practice.โ
โItโs not.โย
He takes a deep breath in. โYou piss me off. Youโre annoying, and insistent, and you always get what you want.โ
You frown a little. โHold on, I thought this was going a different way.โ
He shushes you by placing a finger against your lips. โYou never listen to me and you never act how I think you will. Youโre definitely not normal and your thoughts are all weird and messed up. But youโre always in my head and you have the prettiest smile and the softest voice and when you tell me to shut up I want to drop to my knees and lick your feet.โ
โOkay, itโs definitely getting weird now.โย
โI think Iโm seriously doomed,โ he whispers despite your protests. โBecause I bought that coffee you gave me months ago and I still drank it even though I hated how it tasted. And I havenโt been able to get it up without thinking about you and those pretty lips.โย
โNow I see why you donโt do relationships.โ
Gojo chuckles, eyes unbearingly soft. โI think Iโm in love with you, Y/N. Youโre all I can think about.โย
You let out a slow exhale.ย
This was not how you imagined any of this. That day when you sat down with Shoko to plan a devious scheme to get with Geto, you naturally assumed it would end with him by your side, or with a crippling inability to reassimilate with society.ย
Never in a million years did you think youโd be here, in Gojoโs enormous room inside a frat house, him hanging off your every word.ย
But thinking on it now, thereโs nothing you want to change in your plan.ย
โI think Iโm in love with you too.โ You say just as quietly, a smile playing on your lips.ย
โReally?โ If he had dog ears, they would have surely perked up. โBecause I was lying, I definitely donโt just think that.โ
โWoah, letโs calm down a little.โ
He chuckles, breath misting your face.ย
His thumbs rub circles and you shiver at the faint sensation.
โCold?โ
You bite the lip and nod. Now that youโve confessed, the forbidden desire building up in your core no longer feels like something you need to hide. Instead, you embrace it, and you let Gojo see the change in your eyes.ย
He nods back, looking down at his jersey on you.ย
โYou should probably take this off or youโll get sick.โย
You grab the bottom of his shirt and pull it over your head, leaving you in just your bra. You mentally fist bump your past self for overthinking your attire earlier that morning and throwing on a matching set.ย
His pupils dilate as he looks at you, eyes lingering on the delicate lace.ย
โAm I moving too fast?โ He whispers, breath misting your ear as he leans in.ย
You rapidly shake your head, heart pounding in your chest. The air between you crackles with tension, the rain pattering against the window like a distant drumbeat.ย
He sighs, a low, relieved sound that vibrates through his chest. โGood. Cโmere.โ
He backs you up against the door, the wood cool against your bare back. His hands slide up your sides as he traps you. The guise of getting you out of wet clothes feels like a thin excuse now, but you donโt mind, your own hands already tugging at his waistband, eager to feel more of him.ย
Gojoโs lips crash into yours, hungry and demanding, his tongue sweeping in to claim your mouth. You kiss back just as fiercely, fingers digging into his shoulders as you push against him, guiding him backward step by step. He stumbles slightly, surprised by your assertiveness, but a smirk tugs at his lips against yours.ย
He falls onto the couch with a soft thud, pulling you down on top of him. You straddle his lap, only because itโs the only position youโve had experience with thus far, and the friction of his hardening cock against your core sends sparks through your body. Your mouths meet again in a heated makeout, tongues tangling, breaths mingling in short, desperate gasps.ย
His hands roam your back, unhooking your bra with practiced ease, letting it fall away. You arch into him, pressing your bare breasts against his chest, nipples hardening from the contact.ย
โFuck, youโre so hot like this,โ he growls, nipping at your lower lip. โWhere were you hiding all of this, hm?โ
You shiver, fingers digging into his shirt. โYou like it when I tell you what to do, donโt you? Big bad frat boy, already so hard because a girlโs got you pinned.โ
He groans, hands gripping your ass to grind you against him. โKeep talking like that, and I'll show you whoโs really in control.โ
But you donโt stop. Instead, you push him back further into the cushions and trail your lips down his jaw, his neck, biting lightly to mark him. He lets you, for now, his breath hitching.ย
His eyes look down your body, hands feeling the softness of your skin before resting at the waistband of your cute, little skirt. He smirks and before you know it, youโre torn from his neck because he flips you onto your back in one swift move, pinning your wrists above your head.ย
โMy turn,โ he purrs, voice rough.ย
You try to wriggle free. โWhat are you doing?โ
โYou've always had a thing against my tongue, havenโt you?โ
โThat was weeks ago, I don'tโwait a minute!โ Your hands find his head, trying to push him back up but he refuses, settling properly between your legs and lowering.ย
โRelax.โ He turns his head and kisses your palm, eyes on yours. โI'll make you feel good. I always do, don't I?โ
You hesitate, your arms losing their strength as the tension eases from your body. He watches you carefully, his gaze soft yet intense, making sure youโre okay before he moves. With a gentle nod from you, he lifts the edge of your skirt and flips it up onto your stomach, groaning low at the sight of the damp spot on your panties.
โSo cute,โ he hums, his free hand sliding between your legs to rub at the numb poking out through the fabric. โThis little clitโs begging for attention.โย
You let out a startled gasp, hips bucking up involuntarily at the sudden touch. Itโs all still so new, the sparks of pleasure shooting through you like electricity.ย
โYou want my mouth on this pretty pussy, donโt you?โ He murmurs, lowering to mouth against your panties.ย
His warm breath seeps through the thin material, and the flat of his tongue presses against you, exploring with teasing pressure thatโs not quite enough to satisfy the ache building inside.ย
You jolt again, the sensation overwhelming, back bowing slightly as if to instinctively pull away. He doesnโt let you go far, his hand on your thigh tightening to pull you back against his mouth.ย
โI know, I know,โ he coos against you. โIt's too much, isnโt it?โ
You whimper, looking down and feeling a fresh surge of heat when you meet eyes with him.ย
โThatโs it, just feel it,โ he encourages, his thumb stroking your thigh in slow circles.ย
Finally, he draws your panties to the side and doesnโt waste another second.ย
Gojoโs mouth descends on your pussy, tongue flicking out to lap at your clit.ย
You gasp sharply, hips bucking up as he sucks the sensitive nub between his lips, rolling it gently. His hands hold your thighs apart, fingers digging into your skin to keep you open for him. He eats you out like heโs starved, tongue delving inside you, tasting your wetness then circling back to your clit with firm, insistent strokes.ย
โOh god,โ you choke out, the words tumbling from your lips in a breathless rush. โFuck, itโs tooโfuck itโs so good!โย
With your hands free, you curl your fingers in his soft white hair, guiding him exactly where the pleasure feels strongest. It's your first time feeling anything like this, and the intensity builds fast, a coiling heat thatโs overwhelming but addictive.ย
He hums against you, the vibrations making you whine as his tongue thrusts in and out, mimicking whatโs to come, stretching you open with wet, probing motions.
โMmm, taste so fucking sweet,โ he growls between licks, pulling back just enough to speak, his breath hot against your folds. โYouโre clenching so hard alreadyโgonna finger fuck you open so you can take my cock later.โ
He adds a finger, sliding it inside your slick heat slowly, curling it to brush against that spot that makes stars burst behind your eyelids. โThat's it baby, feel how wet you are for me? so tight around my finger, imagine how youโll squeeze my dick when I'm buried deep.โ
You nod frantically, the haze of pleasure making it hard to form words.ย
He senses your building release, slipping a second finger inside to stretch you further, scissoring them gently to prepare you while his mouth latches back on your clit, sucking harder. โCome on, cum for meโwanna taste you so fucking bad, sweets. I want to feel you shake.โ
The orgasm hits you like a wave, crashing over your body without warning. you cry out, back arching off the surface beneath you as your pussy clenches around his fingers, pulsing with release. He doesnโt stop, lapping at you through it, drawing out every shudder until youโre boneless and gasping for air, his tongue coaxing every last tremor from your oversensitive folds.ย
Gojo pulls back slowly, a string of saliva still connecting to you until he wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, his eyes gleaming with satisfaction as he crawls up your body.ย
โFuck, you taste like heaven,โ he murmurs, leaning in for a deep kiss and letting you taste yourself on his lips.ย
You kiss back weakly making him chuckle, and he pulls back with a wet chu.ย
โYou okay?โ
You nod weakly. One moment youโre catching your breath on the couch, the next heโs lifting you over his shoulder and laying you down on his bed.ย
You yelp, feeling gravity turn on its head until youโre safely on his mattress.ย
Watching as he eagerly strips, you say, โYou got a bedframe.โ
He grins widely, shimmying down his boxers to join his sweatpants on the floor. โYeah, I did. Do you like it?โ
You huff. โYeah. About time, Satoru.โ
Gojoโs smile is oddly bright as he gets on the bed and hovers over you. He shifts, propping himself up on his elbows, his blue eyes darkening as they fixate on your chest. Without a word, he moves down, his mouth hovering just above your skin before he presses his face into the soft valley of your tits, inhaling deeply as if savouring your scent.ย
โGod, I love these things.โ he groans, voice muffled, his lips brushing the sensitive underside. โSo goddamn perfect. Feel how hard you make me just staring at them?โ
You squirm, indeed feeling his cock throb against your leg. โYouโre such an animal.โ
โI can't help it. Been thinking about these ever since last time.โ He peeks up at you though heโs still hesitant to part with them completely. โCan i fuck them?โ
Your nod is all the consent he craves. He straddles your waist carefully and guides his thick length to rest in the plush channel youโve created by pressing your breasts together. The first slide is torturously slow, the velvety skin enveloping him as he rocks forward, the tip emerging shiny with precum near your collarbone.ย
โShit, yes,โ he hisses, hips snapping in a shallow rhythm. โSo soft, so fucking warm around me. Look at that, sweets. Your tits are hugging my dick like they were made for it.โ
His voice drops lower, rough with building pleasure, each word punctuated by the slick glide of skin on skin.ย
You watch him, mesmerised by the concentration etching his features, brow furrowed, lips parted as he pants. Sweat beads on his forehead and trickles down his temples as his abs flex with every controlled push. The friction builds between your tits, his precum smearing across your skin, making the slide even smoother and more obscene.ย
He glances down to watch his cock disappear and poke out from your cleavage. โOpen your mouth for me, baby.โ
โSweets,โ you remind him.ย
He lets out a stifled groan, hips jerking forward. โSweets, please. Let me see your pretty tongue. Want it on my tip when i come through so fucking bad.โย
The nickname sends a thrill through you, and you part your lips obediently, flattening your tongue in invitation. He groans at the sight, hips stuttering as he angles higher, the flushed head of his cock brushing your waiting mouth on the next thrust.ย
โFuck, just like that,โ he rasps. โYour tongue feels so good lapping at me like that. Swirl it around, taste how much I want you. God, sweets, youโre killing me.โย
You do, tracing the sensitive underside when he pushes forward, the salty tang of him flooding your senses. His reaction is immediate, a deep, guttural moan escapes him, his rhythm faltering as he jerks deeper, chasing the wet heat of your mouth.ย
โCan't get enough,โ he growls, drawing back only to thrust again, his tip kissing your tongue with deliberate precision and drawing back a sticky string of his precum and your saliva. โGonna fuck your mouth next, stuff it full of my cock until youโre choking on it. You'd take it so well, wouldnโt you? Suck me down like the greedy little thing you are.โย
Saliva pools on your tongue and drips down to mix with the mess on your chest. He watches it all with hooded eyes, rutting faster now, the slap of his hips against your breasts echoing softly in the room.ย
โFuck, sweetsโgonna cum,โ he warns through gritted teeth, his forehead creasing in that pretty, desperate way. โCanโt hold back with you squeezing me like this. Shit, iโm gonna paint you, mark every inch of these pretty tits.โ
He lurches forward suddenly, back bowing as he towers over you, one hand bracing beside your head while the other strokes his base to control his release. The first hot spurt lands across your neck, thick and warm, followed by another that arches toward your open mouth. He aims with a focused groan, pressing down on the head to guide it, ropes of cum landing on your tongue, filling your senses with his taste.ย
โTake it, thatโs a good girl,โ he pants, voice breaking on a final, shuddering thrust. โLook at you, covered in me. So fucking hot, dripping with my cum on your face and tits.โย
His body quakes through the aftershocks, eyes never leaving yours, drinking in your reaction as he milks every drop onto you.ย
When heโs spent, he collapses forward slightly, catching himself on his forearms to avoid crushing you and leans down.ย
Your lips meet his in a deep, unhurried kiss, tongues tangling slow and sweet at first, then hungrier as you melt into it. The taste of him, salty from earlier, mixed with the faint tang of your own arousal, ignites you, and you tug him down, hands roaming his shoulders, feeling the flex of muscle under sweat damp skin. A soft moan escapes you, and he swallows it, his grip tightening just a fraction.ย
He pulls back and pants against your lips, half laughing.ย
โSorry, I should have warned you. Kind of not the most virgin friendly thing to do, huh?โ He sits up and reaches for some tissue to clean you. โShould of saved this for inside you, sweets.โ
You clench, squeezing your thighs together. โIโve neverโฆโ
His eyes soften, wiping the last of his cum. โI know, sweets. We can wait if you need to, thereโs no rush.โ
But curiousity and want is a dangerous cocktail and you find yourself shaking your head. โI want to.โย
Gojo lets out a shuddering breath and nods, sliding off your chest, his cock glistening and heavy against his thigh. โLet me get you warmed up again.โ
He doesn't find much difficulty with that because one hand against your slit and his eyebrows are rising, feeling your wetness despite the lack of attention.ย
You blush, feeling caught. โWhat? Donโt look at me like that, itโs embarrassing.โ
โWhatโs got you so wet, hm?โ
You squirm, feeling the lingering pleasure flare up. โItโs not my fault youโre so vocal.โ
โDirty girl. You like hearing how good you make me feel?โ His thumb smears your entrance, picking up and spreading the fresh arousal that gathers there and itโs as good as any verbal answer. โFeel that? So worked up with nowhere to go.โ
His fingers part you gently, circling your entrance with feather-light strokes that make you gasp.ย
โLet me warm you up again, sweets. Youโre so swollen here, feels like youโve been waiting for more. Gonna make sure youโre nice and ready for me.โ
He plays with the mess between your legs, his own expression a mix of hunger and restraint, breaths coming in measured pulls as he fights the urge to rush. One finger dips inside you shallowly, then two, curling just right to brush that spot that sends sparks up your spine.ย
The stretch is easier now, your body remembering the pleasure, and he coos softly at your soft whimper, thumb finding your clit to rub in slow, firm circles.ย
โShit, youโre so tight,โ he groans quietly, voice rough around the edges. โSo warm and wet, itโs killing me not to slide in right now. But weโre taking our time, yeah? Making this perfect for you.โ
Your hips rock instinctively into his hand, the coil of heat tightening low in your belly, and he grins, leaning in to pepper kisses along your jaw.ย
โLook at you, getting into it. My sweet girl, so responsive.โ
You whine, the pleasure having reached a plateau and when you buck up for more, he withdraws his hand. The loss makes you whine but he hushes you with a gentle kiss to your forehead, reaching over to the nightstand and searching through his messy drawers for a condom.ย
The foil crinkles under his fingers as he tears it open and positions himself at your entrance. You're still slick, heโs made sure of that, but the anticipation makes you clench, nerves building up. He notices your sharp inhale and lets his tip nudge your slick folds, parting them teasingly though he pauses there to let you feel the pressure without pushing in.ย
โHey, eyes on me, sweets,โ he murmurs, voice steady despite the way his chest heaves, his cock twitching against you. โYou still okay? Tell me if itโs too much, Iโll stop, I promise. But fuck, Iโd be lying if I said I didnโt want to be inside you.โ
โIโm okay,โ you whisper breathlessly, fingers curling into the sheets below. โJustโฆ go slow?โ
He notices and slides a hand down to interlace your fingers, bringing your hand up to his lips and placing a soft kiss to your palm. โOf course. Whatever you want.โย
The stretch is immediate, a slow burn as he guides himself in, sinking bit by bit. His cock is much thicker than his fingers but the warmth of him, the way he watches every flicker of your expression with that twitch in his jaw, makes it bearable.ย
โFuck, youโre so fucking tight,โ he rasps, eyes shutting briefly. โGripping me so good already. Easy, sweets, just relax into it.โ
His voice cracks a little on the end, his fingers digging into your skin as he holds himself still once heโs halfway in.ย
It aches, but the fullness is intoxicating, waves of pleasure chasing the discomfort as your body yields. You gasp, squeezing his hand and he coos softly, stroking you with his thumb.ย
โCan I keep going?โย
You nod and even before your next breath, heโs already sliding in and bottoming out with a shared gasp, hips flushed against yours. His forehead rests against yours, breaths mingling in the humid air.ย
"How's that feel? Too much?โ He asks softly.ย
โFullโฆ so full,โ you whimper, rocking experimentally and he hisses through his teeth, hips bucking up just a fraction before he catches himself.ย
โFuck, want me to move, sweets?โ He shifts beneath you, guiding your hips in a gentle circle to grind against you, his praises making the movement slick.ย
โPlease,โ you gasp out as the fullness sparks pleasure deep inside and he rewards your honest words with a slow roll of his hips.ย
โGood girl,โ he praises, voice dropping to a gravelly whisper as he starts to move, shallow thrusts that build a steady friction. Each slide in and out drags against your inner walls, drawing out filthy whimpers and sighs as he hits that sweet spot with precision born of his experience.ย
Soon, your toes are curling and your back bows off his mattress, desperate to meet his thrusts.ย
โListen to those sounds youโre making,โ he coos, emphasising his words with a deep thrust. โYouโre taking me so well, sweets. makes me want to stay buried in your forever.โ
The pace gradually quickens, his control fraying at the edges as your moans encourage him. He shifts the angle, one leg hooking over his shoulder to deepen the penetration, and the new position has you crying out, pleasure coiling tight in your core.
Sweat beads on his skin, dropping onto your chest and he leans down to capture a nipple between his lips, sucking gently as he thrusts harder, the wet slap of skin echoing softly.ย
โThatโs it, let go for me,โ he urges against your tits, teeth grazing the peak before soothing it with his tongue. โI can feel you squeezing, you close for me already? Come on, sweets, chase it.โ
His words weave through the haze, dirty and devoted, spurring you higher as his freehand slips between you to circle your clit in time with his hips. The dual sensations overwhelm, building to a peak that has you trembling beneath him.ย
When it hits, itโs blinding, your orgasm crashing over you in waves, walls clenching rhythmically around him and pulling him deeper. He groans your name like a prayer, thrusts stuttering as rides it out with you, prolonging the bliss with expert rolls of his hips.ย
Only when you slump, sweaty and panting, does he let himself follow, a filthy groan escaping his lips as he buries himself deep one last time and spills into the condom, body shuddering as he struggles to hover over you.ย
He doesnโt pull away immediately, instead pressing his hips closer to ensure youโve gotten everything before collapsing half on top of you, peppering lazy kisses along your neck.ย
โYouโre amazing,โ he whispers. โMy perfect girl, did so good for us.โ
You whimper against the ticklish sensation. โYou're too heavy.โ
He chuckles and rolls off you, slowly pulling out to pull the condom off and discard it. you watch him with sleepy eyes, eagerly nuzzling into his arms when he settles back beside you.ย
โNeed anything? Water? Cuddles?โย
You hum, feeling the satisfaction morph into a drowsiness that has you melting into his arms, only feeling his warmth.ย
โYou?โ
He chuckles, pressing a kiss to your cheek. โIโm so glad I stole you away. Youโre so fucking perfect for me.โย
You lean into his side, feeling a sense of indescribable completeness that fills you with certainty.ย
Geto Suguru may have been everyoneโs first love but Gojo Satoru is the one you choose.ย
And judging by the way his arm tightens around you, the way his grin softens when he looks down at you, he knows it too.ย
Geto Suguru is everyoneโs first love.
Even to this day, your friends will roll their eyes and insist that canโt possibly be true. But from experience, that was exactly who he was, someone to admire from afar like a painting behind glass. Beautiful and alluring, and just out of reach.ย
You see him now up, sitting on the couches at the house party driving the murmur of conversation with ease, a red cup used to gesture. Laughter ripples outward in waves, people leaning closer, drawn in.
You smile out of solidarity, resting against the wall with content misplaced at a busy place like this.ย
โDid you wait long?โ
You turn your head to find your boyfriend weaving through bodies with the casual confidence of someone who assumes space will make itself around him. Two drinks in hand, hair messy under his cat, grin already forming because heโs caught you staring.ย
You push off the wall, reaching automatically for whichever cup is closer but he pulls back to sniff both before handing you the opposite one.
You take it gratefully and when you take a sip, you realise itโs your favourite juice.ย
โWait time longer than the lines at Universal,โ you tease.ย
He grins, leaning down to kiss your forehead. โNext time I'll get us the priority pass. Not that it looked like you minded the wait. Donโt think I didn't see you eyeing Suguru like that. Do I have competition again?โ
You shove him playfully. โPlease, like I'm the one whoโs been draping themselves over him for the past hour.โ
Across the room, Geto laughs again, someone hanging off his shoulder while he tries to keep the liquid in his cup from spilling. He catches your eye briefly and lifts his cup in greeting. You return it with a smile.
Next to you, Gojo sighs dramatically.
โWow,โ he says flatly. โRight in front of me too. Why canโt I see any remorse in your eyes?โ
โBecause there isnโt any there,โ you snort. โYou're the one who told him to come tonight.โ
โWhere thereโs Satoru, thereโs Suguru.โ
โI learnt that the hard way.โ
He hums, arm sliding around your waist to pull you flush against his side. His thumb starts tracing lazy circles just above your hip, absentminded and affectionate, a touch so familiar you barely notice as you lean into him in return.
โStill,โ he murmurs, quieter now, his breath warm against your cheek. โYou donโt have to keep looking at him like that.โ
โLike what?โ
โLike youโre thinking about what you could have had.โ
You tilt your head to look up at him. His expression isnโt jealous, not completely, just searching, softer than the bravado he usually wears.
โI'm not,โ you promise gently. โIt was always superficial. You know that better than anyone. I guess now, looking at him is like looking at a relic of a different version of me.โ
He hums. โHe would have liked that sentence.โ
You roll your eyes, ever so familiar with his dramatics. โYou have nothing to worry about, baby. I promise.โ
โYeah?โ
โYeah.โ You reach up and adjust the brim of his cap slightly, smoothing down a piece of hair that refuses to stay put. โBesides, I think I traded up.โ
โKeep talking like that and I'm going to start thinking you actually like me,โ he grins, voice lowering.
You smack his chest but your other hand lingers in his hair, fingers slipping into the soft hair at his nape. "Don't get cocky.โ
Too late. He's already smiling wide, not the loud, flashy grin everyone else gets, but something softer and almost boyish reserved just for you.
Gojo leans down and finds your lips. The kiss is slow and unhurried, deeper than something meant for a crowded room but not quite indecent, like heโs forgotten where you are or just doesnโt care.
He pulls back just enough to talk. โHey, I have an idea thatโll solve this three way jealousy.โ
โWhat?
โWhy donโt we just have a threesome?โ
a/n: i had to repost this because i realised i could fit everything into one post but holy hell reformating everything made me wanna die so please smash that like button hit subscribe and don't forget to turn on that notification bell ++ shoutout to flatline and happy pokemon day to those who celebrate
TAGS: single mom!reader, strangers to friends(?) to strangers to lovers, girl dad!oikawa, side pairing matsuhana, seijoh4 dont fucking play about reader's daughter they do not fucking PLAY, oikawa's characterization is explored via the difference between "oikawa" and "tooru", piece of shit ex husband, mentions of cheating (re: ex husband), dry humping, penetrative sex, "i love you"s unspoken but entirely felt
a/n: i have to admit something. i was a D1 Oikawa Tooru Hater until @ehviepls commissioned this. my little icy heart has melted. this is a problem for me personally.
[commission honee here!]
------------------------------------
Oikawa Tooru changes exactly three times over the course of your life.
Twice, it happens suddenly, like whiplash. Like taking a bucket of ice cold water straight to the face.
On the third, it's gradual โ a wave of change settling over you, the realization coming too late.
-----
ONE
-----
He's a fake. That much is clear, even from here.
You stand off to the side of the gym, waiting for Mattsun and Makki to wrap up so you can walk home together. Waving at Iwaizumi when he passes quietly, his gruff "hey" barely making it to you before he's gone.
You'd noticed him years ago, noticed the attention he drew and the joy he derived from receiving it. Noticed the almost tangible glow that surrounds him, the way it grows when he smiles and morphs into something sharp when his mood shifts. You'd noticed, because it's impossible not to.
Oikawa Tooru is impossible not to notice. He manufactures it, you're certain, because he so clearly thrives off of it.
You wonder if that's why he's faking it, that bright persona.
You stare, watching him out of the corner of your eye while Mattsun squirts water in Makki's face and then books it across the gym in your direction. Oikawa's giggling down at a group of girls, blushing like he's embarrassed but obviously enjoying himself.
And then he glances up, attention drawn by the sound of Mattsun's body hitting the floor. Makki's dumping his entire water bottle on the boy. But Oikawa's not watching them.
He's watching you.
You try not to jump. Try not to look away, because you get the odd sense that he likes that, too. You just watch each other, neither wanting to give in.
He grins, eyes twinkling, and he tilts his head in a way that's meant to be affectionate. A hand comes up, his wave casual but intentional. He's the image of angelic purity, greeting you like you're special. Like you mean something to him, despite never having had a single conversation.
It makes your skin crawl. You can feel your stare turning into something horrified.
For a moment, the twinkle in his eye disappears, and the corners of his smile flatten out just a little. Just enough. It sends a chill down your spine.
And then one of the girls tugs on his sleeve, and he's forced to break eye contact, that sharp something reverting back into a bright glow when he redirects his attention. You level your breath and turn back to your friends, finding Mattsun drenched to the bone and Makki looking pleased with himself.
They argue about nothing on the walk home, and you follow quietly, used to their antics after years of it. Years of knowing them, knowing that they bicker because there's something else going on between them that neither of them wants to admit. You let them have this, because, even though you'd rather not interrupt at all, you know they can't handle being alone.
You know them well.
They know you better.
"You think she's ever gonna talk to him?"
"Nah, glaring's enough. She's got him wrapped around her little finger."
You blink, drawn out of your own daydream, only to find the terrible duo grinning down at you evilly.
"What?"
Mattsun scrubs his towel through his hair, the ends still damp. "You know what."
"If I knew, I wouldn't ask," you grumble, hiking your bag high on your shoulder.
Makki throws an arm over your shoulder. "What were ya thinkin' about just now?"
You don't want to tell them. You don't want to talk about chocolate eyes and a sharp edge.
"Thinkin' about how Mattsun ate shit earlier."
It works for a bit, the deflecting. Makki laughs the way he's supposed to and Mattsun gripes the way he's supposed to. But, as Makki is breaking away from the group with no more than a nudge to your shoulder and a lingering gaze on Mattsun, you have the distinct feeling that you're not safe yet.
Matsukawa Issei is known for his silence, and your status as lifelong friend doesn't save you from it.
He stares as you walk. Stares at crosswalks. Stares even when you stare back.
Finally, you crack. "What?! What do you want?!"
He smiles โ small and satisfied. "When're you gonna make nice with Oikawa?"
You lift your brows. "Why would I do that?"
"'Cause you're intrigued."
He doesn't say 'Because you like him', which is almost worse. Because it means he's right. He knows you well enough to know the difference.
"I have no reason to talk to him."
"You're interested. That's enough reason."
You roll your eyes. "I'm good, thanks."
He leaves you be after that, just pulling out his phone and texting the rest of the way home.
You should have realized that Mattsun doesn't actually know how to leave things be.
โ
The notification doesn't come for a few days. You forget all about the conversation with Mattsun, though it's hard to forget about the topic of conversation himself.
Oikawa starts to appear in places he hadn't been before, not in your three years at Seijoh.
He follows Makki into your shared classroom. Doesn't speak to you, choosing to sit in front of Makki's desk and accost him over volleyball-related things. Doesn't address you, even when the pink-haired boy rises from his seat and crosses the room to you, childish antics played out in your personal space. Doesn't speak your name even when your eyes find his. He just smiles and gives you that charming wave. Wiggles his fingers in greeting and then returns to his phone. You pretend you don't feel him watching you out of the corner of your eye.
He starts to wait in the same hallway you do after practice โ for Iwaizumi, of course. He still doesn't speak, but you feel his eyes on your face more than before, and he seems to close the distance between you by a few inches every day. You never grace him with the glance he's looking for, and he never opens his mouth long enough to ask why. Neither of you is willing to address the situation.
He even stands beside you when the larger group gets together at the school gate or during lunch hour. But he always manages to keep his back turned, focused on antagonizing Iwaizumi. And you always manage to focus on Mattsun and Makki, poking fun and watching their antics. The two of you never speak, never acknowledge the brush of elbows or the bump of shoulders.
And then one late afternoon, after several grueling days of avoiding Oikawa Tooru, you finally fail.
You're rushing from your student council meeting that ran over time, jogging down the hall toward the locker bay, already calculating how late you'll be for dinner. You're not watching where you're going, and you're too busy stressing to bother listening for footsteps other than your own.
The turn of a corner leads to your body hitting the floor, another one landing beside you in a crumple of surprise.
"Ow," he whines. "Fuck."
Your head whips up, catching chocolate brown and a sharp edge.
"Oh," you say, at the same time his eyes go wide with shock. You blink. "Hi."
He blinks back, hand still clutching his chin. The top of your head aches. It's not hard to piece together what happened.
"Hi," he mumbles.
There's a moment of nothing, of complete silence. Of just watching each other, with nothing to save either of you from addressing this.
He shifts, blinking again, and the moment is gone.
"Oh, god," he laughs, bright and loud and way too much. "I'm so sorry! I totally knocked you over, didn't I?"
He knows it's your fault. You were the one racing through the halls without care. But he's already on his knees, shuffling around and gathering the books you'd dropped. A quick glance finds his duffel bag a few feet away and a damp towel crumpled beside it.
His head gets in your way, and you see so clearly the water droplets that are dripping off the ends of his hair, his eyelashes. The flush to his skin, cheeks dewy and warm. His eyes find yours, closer than he's ever been. The setting sun peeks through the window and lands, mercilessly, right on his face, casting that golden glow over him like it belongs there.
Damn. He's as pretty as they say he is.
His lips tug up in an innocent grin. "Y/n?"
The sound of your name on his lips shakes you to the core. You shake your head, looking away and taking the books from his hand.
"Thanks," you mutter, clambering to your feet. He must think that this gives him an excuse to stay close, because when he stands, he's still in your space.
"Are you hurt? I'm really sorry," he says, that sugar-sweet lilt in his voice.
You find your face peeling back into a grimace. "Yeah. Thanks. I'll be more careful next time."
You're gone before he can respond, brushing past him in a rush.
โ
Your phone dings several hours later, late at night.
[11:09 PM]
tooru followed you!
You stare down at the notification, not sure what to make of it. Not sure how to react.
You eventually choose to follow him back, a quick tap of your finger on the screen.
And then your phone buzzes again.
[11:16 PM]
Unknown Number: hi!! yn, right??
You sigh, already planning Mattsun's funeral.
You: hi oikawa.
Unknown Number: omg howd you know it was me??
You: not hard to guess.
Unknown Number: ??? okay!!!
Unknown Number: im sorry again about earlier today. are you hurt??
Yes. Your head is still aching, and your ass is bruised.
You: no, im good.
You stare at your dry messages and then grit your teeth.
You: are you?
His response is immediate.
Unknown Number: no!!! im okay! thank you for asking
You: okay
You: goodnight.
Unknown Number: wait!!!! thats it???
You: ??
Unknown Number: โฆ.
Unknown Number: uh,,, okay! goodnight!
You want to say it's weird, that you don't understand. But you do. You know what he'd wanted. What you won't give him.
โ
He starts to speak to you. You give him the bare minimum, in passing and at the end of practice and even during lunch. He tries hard, so hard the Iwaizumi has to drag him away sometimes and Mattsun has to tell you to 'ease up on the black cat act, he's already suffering'.
But you won't give Oikawa Tooru what he wants. Because you know he's a fake.
Until he's not.
โ
Seijoh loses against Karasuno in the Spring semifinals. Your heart hurts for Mattsun and Makki, and Iwaizumi, too. But Oikawa-
Oikawa is in the hall outside the gym, fighting off a horde of girls all echoing their condolences. You pass them, barely meeting his eyes as you disappear around a corner. It's Mattsun you're looking for, though it's Makki's hair you try to spot because he's easier to see in a crowd.
You glance back and forth, unsuccessful. You see Iwaizumi, and he sees you. You share a look, yours speaking of sympathy and his of regret, but it's all you get. Things with him are easy.
The crowd of girls sounds much closer, and you hear Oikawa trying to make excuses.
"I'm really okay, I promise! I should really go find my team-"
The crowd groans, and you back up to the wall to get out of the way. A doorknob digs into your back, and it's easy to see it's a storage closet.
Oikawa comes around the corner, all but running away as he looks over his shoulder. He looks stressed, distraught, hurt. But he's still smiling, that twinkle still there.
You twist the knob.
"Oikawa."
He turns, taking a moment to process that it's you. You just beckon him to the little room. The crowd around the corner gets louder, and you both hear some of the girls wondering if they should follow after him to see how he's really doing.
He slips past you in record time, and you follow, the door shut tight behind you.
He finds the light switch, bathing you both in painful, florescent white.
You stare up at him, and he stares back.
You watch in real time as his face fluctuates between keeping and dropping his smile. Between performing for you and deciding that he doesn't need to.
His lips fall, eyes emptying in time.
Someone else would've given him the privacy to fall.
You don't look away.
You don't speak, and neither does he. He just sighs, lets his eyes fall shut, and crouches next to a mop bucket, head buried in his knees. His skin is still warm and flushed from the effort of the game, and you're reminded of that day by the locker bay. But the easygoing energy โ the one from just moments ago โ is gone.
In its place is a boy wracked with tension, hands curled into fists until his knuckles go white.
"Fuck," he whispers. "Fuck."
You swallow hard. "I'm sorry about the game." Your voice is hoarse, like you're not used to using it around him.
"I failed," he laughs, the clip of his voice bitter. "I failed them."
You don't think he did โ you know he didn't, because you watched the whole match. Watched the match with more attention paid to Oikawa Tooru than you want to admit. But you don't say anything to him, don't convey any feeling to argue against his, because you know it doesn't matter.
Several sets of footsteps barrel past the door, and you both tense. In a panic, you kill the lights.
His sigh is audible, relieved.
You crouch by the door, grateful for the dark and the silence.
"You're good at what you do, y'know," you say quietly.
If he moves, you don't hear it.
"Failures happen. Doesn't mean you weren't meant for this." You're picking at your nails in the dark, wondering if this is helping at all. "Doesn't mean someone else was meant to replace you."
He shifts at that, and you start to understand Oikawa Tooru a little bit better. Start to understand the tension between him and that other setter, the one with the blue eyes and the scowl.
"Doesn't matter, I guess," he finally says, his voice quiet. "I won't be around after graduation to keep an eye on them. I just kind of hoped to get them further than this before I go."
You frown, a little lost. Even after graduation, you know Makki and Mattsun will still be around, working various jobs together while Mattsun puts himself through school. You haven't commented yet on their completely, not-at-all suspicious roommate agreement, but that's only because you'll be gone for college. With Iwaizumi, in fact, in America.
Still, you've heard more than a few times that your two friends plan to haunt the Seijoh VBC grounds as often as possible. It seems Oikawa isn't part of that plan.
"Where will you be?"
He shuffles. "Argentina."
You blink, surprised. "Wow. Far."
He laughs weakly. "America's not far?"
You hadn't realized he was keeping tabs on you.
"Good point." There's not much else to say, so you check your phone for the time. "I think your fanclub's gone." When he makes no move to stand, you try again. "Did your family come watch the match?"
"Yeah," he admits after a long moment. "Part of why I don't wanna go out there."
You don't press. "I could get Iwaizumi?"
He sighs quietly. "Yeah. That'd be good."
You don't say anything else. You just get up and leave.
But as you're searching the crowd for Iwaizumi, you get a text.
You hadn't planned on saving his number. You still don't.
[4:13 PM]
Unknown Number: thanks.
โ
He starts to text more. Asking if you and Iwaizumi have developed a friendship yet, given your college plans. Asking how you and Mattsun met, because the man in question won't tell him. Asking if you've noticed the tension between Makki and Mattsun, too, and if you think they're really, truly, that oblivious about it.
He asks you to coffee once, in the time between graduation and both of your departure dates. You go. It's not bad, but it's deeply uncomfortable. You feel examined whenever his eyes find you, and whenever you speak, you can see his gaze dropping to your mouth, like he's worried that he'll miss something hidden, some unspoken set of syllables.
Still, despite the discomfort, you find yourself thinking about that day often, even as you're packing to move worlds away and even as you're saying goodbye to family and friends. You find yourself thinking of him, wishing that there had been more uncomfortable days like it.
You find yourself wishing you'd had more chances to get to know Oikawa Tooru โ the real one.
He keeps up a little in college, even with a five-hour time difference. He asks how Iwa is, because the man is terrible at answering texts, and he asks how you're adjusting. You find yourself texting him sometimes when you're lonely, asking about San Juan and the weather and the language barrier. He always seems happy to hear from you.
But eventually, you lose track of each other. He becomes a fleeting thought, only brought about when Iwa mentions him, which isn't often. You know they're still close, because you can hear Iwa yelling over the phone sometimes when you're running to meet up with him, the words 'hang up, fuckass!' echoed regularly. You maintain your friendship with Mattsun โ you couldn't get rid of him if you tried โ and have to endure his constant pining over Makki โ his own roommate, by his own choice, by the way. Makki's no better, calling you late at night and whispering furiously about how good-looking Mattsun is.
Your relationship with Iwaizumi Hajime becomes one that you can only describe as mutual coping. You flock to each other initially, right after moving to America, because you only have each other and because California is a huge culture shock. You help each other get used to life away from home, and then, even after you've made your own friends and found your own peace, you find comfort in the tri-weekly study dates in the back of the cafe you both agreed is the least terrible. You find comfort in his gruff exterior, which hasn't changed a bit since high school. You find comfort in knowing that that old version of Iwaizumi Hajime was real. That he's real.
That's why he's the first to meet your boyfriend. The older guy in your computer science classes, the one who helps you study and who's got some connections with the tech world, where you hope to find your footing. Your boyfriend, who gives you advice and who makes you laugh and who treats you like royalty. Your boyfriend, who you think you're in love with.
You are in love. Even after feeling conflicted about the strange look Iwa gives him upon their introduction, you're in love. Even after Makki calls to check in one night โ letting slip that Iwa has a weird feeling about the guy โ you're in love.
Even after you move back to Japan with him, even after he becomes a director in the tech company you apply for, even after you're hired and realize he's your direct superiorโ
โEven after Matsukawa Issei, known for his silence, stands in your bridal room on the day of your wedding, asking โ begging to know โ if you're sure. Saying it's okay if you're not, that he promises he can find a way to sneak you outโ
You're in love.
Even after the positive pregnancy test.
Even after he doesn't seem pleased about it.
Even after he starts staying out late and coming home with perfume on his collar.
You're in love.
You're in love?
โ
The divorce is messy.
What's messier is the aftermath. The barely-HR-compliant isolation, the plausibly deniable humiliation tactics. That's leagues messier than the divorce.
It's only after you ask โ beg โ for a transfer that you realize it's what he'd wanted the whole time. That there's a desk with a name that feels awfully close to the name you'd seen in his phone countless times. That he's been trying to give that desk your job.
That he's going to leave you with one last gift before you go.
"We only have one opening," he says smugly, shrugging like there's nothing he can do about it. "It's far."
"I like far."
"Hope you know Spanish."
"What?"
โ
------
TWO
------
"Mom, my love?"
"Yes, Hana, my love?"
"Are we gonna be in Saint Juan forever?"
You smile, combing your fingers through her hair. There's never been a part of you that wished she looked more like her father than like you. You're beyond thankful to the universe that she's a carbon copy of you.
"San Juan, baby."
She's six now. You'd been worried that the divorce would affect her, but her disposition is brighter now that it's just the two of you. Even making the move across the world, she's happier than before.
It makes you feel guilty, knowing you hadn't gotten out of it sooner.
"San Juan, baby," she echoes, kicking her feet in the airplane seat that's too big for her and returning to her book. You smile fondly. Hanako had learned that pet names and terms of endearment are saved for people you love. You're not sure when she'd started doing it herself, but it's simply too loveable to correct.
Correct isn't the right word for it, anyway. If this is how she learns love, then you've done your job. Better she learn this than learn that love is tension and fights, cheating accusations and crying late at night.
Better that she's far from it all, that the two of you can start fresh and learn love all over again.
The flight attendant comes by with drinks and sets a little box of apple juice on Hanako's tray.
"Thank you, my love," the little girl sings, taking her juice with glee. When the flight attendant laughs in surprise, you just smile up at her.
"Think she associates you with food now."
The woman coos and keeps going, and you hear her happily recounting the story to her co-worker a few rows down.
Yes, you think. Maybe a fresh start will give Hanako a chance at a happier, more innocent life.
Maybe you, too.
โ
San Juan is hard.
It's hot and unfamiliar, and only a few weeks of Spanish classes online had left you ill-prepared for an entire life abroad. The school system is different, the culture is different, the feeling is different.
You love it.
It's okay that you mess up on how much to pay at grocery stores and restaurants. It's okay that you call your landlord three times the first week you move in because you can't read the labels on the washing machine and you really don't want to mess up your work outfits. It's okay that you're late to work two days in a row because you take the wrong train and end up across town.
It's okay. You're still you, and you still show up when it matters.
You're never late to pick up or drop off Hanako at school. You ask for more scheduled parent-teacher time so you can get used to the school system, so you can learn how to be better. How to be a better mother.
You work your ass off at the company and successfully smother the rumors about you and your ex with new, better information about just you โ the new girl. She works hard, they say instead. Her output and quality is some of the best we've seen. Clients love her. And, though you don't mean for this to happen, the rumors slowly change from "what happened between them?" to "I wonder what he did to lose her". You don't mean for it to turn out that way, but you're not mad that it does.
You make a life in San Juan, just you and your girl. The little light that glows with every setting Argentina sun.
That life changes in an instant โ not good or bad. Just different. Just familiar.
โ
Hanako likes to wander at the grocery store. She knows now that she can't when it's a big store, but one of the little corner shops, where there's a security-camera-faux-mirror on every wall and only four or five aisles spanning the whole thing? You don't mind if she explores, especially because she's a chatterbox and you can hear every word she says from one end of the store to the other.
"Hi, beautiful!" to the clerk.
"Good morning, cuteness!" to the stocker boy.
"Thank you, my love!" to the stranger one aisle over.
"A-Ah," the man says, laughing awkwardly. "Of course, sweetheart. Careful, okay? That's glass."
You brain tugs hard in the direction of that voice, distracting you from your goal of location chicken broth.
The man laughs again. You bend down, still trying to find pollo broth-no, that's definitely not it.
"Hana," you call out, still distracted. "Leave the nice man alone, baby. He's trying to shop."
"Okay, baby," she sings. Her little footsteps come around the corner. "I found the pollo broth, Mama."
Damn carbon copy, that one.
"Oh, yeah?" you say with a smile, turning in your crouch. She walks carefully to you, and you barely take note of the long legs that follow. "You sure it says pollo broth, babe?" You take the jar from her, glancing at the label before your attention is drawn to the man behind her. "'Cause I think it's called-"
Chocolate eyes and a glow that echoes in the setting sun.
Surprise, from both you and him.
His lips part, and he blinks rapidly.
"Caldo," he mumbles. "Caldo de pollo."
You rise slowly, taking him in. "Yeah. Caldo."
The silence between you is palpable. You feel odd, like you should have remembered he'd be here but also like there's no way you could have kept track of him all these years. Like you regret not staying in touch, because there's a pang in your chest that still wishes you'd gotten to know him back then.
Like it's weird that his three best friends were at your wedding and you still don't have his number saved.
"Caldo, baby!"
You both blink and look down at Hana, who's starting to do spins in the aisle while she sings about chicken broth.
Oikawa clears his throat. "She looks just like you. I was wondering why she seemed familiar."
You laugh to yourself. "Thank god for that. Her father's ugly as a brick these days."
The man is insanely handsome, but you're still a little salty. So, what?
Oikawa shifts his weight, eyes flicking to you and then back to your daughter. "I heard you got married. Back in Japan."
He's not asking what you know he's dying to.
What're you doing here?
"Did you hear I got divorced?"
His shock is clear as day, but he doesn't comment on it. He just says-
"How long have you been in town?"
โ
It turns out Oikawa Tooru lives just a few blocks from you, on the same street as Hana's school. He mentions it when he walks the two of you home that day, his groceries in one hand and yours in the other.
He doesn't ask you anything personal, and you can't tell if it's because he doesn't want to pry or because he's learned very quickly that Hanako repeats everything she hears like a parrot and he doesn't want to risk anything.
He just leaves you two at your door, passing your groceries over and then patting Hanako on the head.
"See you around, okay?"
"Bye, my love!" she yells, waving after him with both hands. He grins, shaking his head, and mumbles "I'll text you" to you once she's gone inside.
He does exactly that, not even twenty minutes later.
[3:57 PM]
Unknown Number: that little girl is just you but smiling
You beam down at your phone.
You: hey.
You: i smile.
Unknown Number: sources say you and a genuine expression of happiness have never been seen in the same room.
You: haha. funny.
Unknown Number: ive always been funny
Unknown Number: you just didnt like me
You: i liked you just fine
Unknown Number: liar??
You: okay yeah im lying
You: in my defense
You: that charming pretty boy act was offputting
Unknown Number: my charming?? pretty boy?? act??
Unknown Number: you mean my personality?????
You: no. i mean that thing you CALLED a personality
Unknown Number: โฆ. alright fine
You: so you admit it was an act ?
Unknown Number: no.
Unknown Number: but im not all that charming or pretty anymore. if thats of interest to you.
You wholeheartedly disagree with that statement, but you would rather eat glass than tell him that. And that's not the point, anyway.
You: i could be interested
You: would tooru like to grab coffee and catch up?
You: not oikawa though. leave him at home.
Unknown Number: oh good, she has jokes. wonderful.
Unknown Number: should we do lunch instead? somewhere the little bird would like to eat
You press your phone to your chest, overwhelmed by this strange feeling that you haven't felt for a man in a long, long time. Affection. Gratitude.
You: depends on the day.
You: little bird is legally bound to the educational facility until 3pm on weekdays
Unknown Number: school is a prison or whatever the kids say these days
Unknown Number: the bird eats dinner i presume?
You: at 6pm every day, yes. shes well trained.
Unknown Number: how lucky, thats my dinnertime too
Unknown Number: practice ends at 5. tomorrow?
You glance at Hana, watching her eat her midday snack on the couch, fingers sticky as she turns the page of her new book. It's in Spanish, and she can only read four words in the language, but she's enraptured anyway.
"Babycakes?"
"Yes, Mama, my love?" She's still eating and turning pages.
"Do you want to get dinner with Mama and her friend tomorrow?"
She looks up now, eyes wide. "With who? Babycakes from the store?"
You laugh. "Yes, love. The man from the store."
She just nods happily and goes back to her book. "You make friends fast, Mama."
You sigh, watching her and taking photos of her silently. Your phone is full of them, not wanting to miss a single moment of her life.
"He's an old friend of Mama's, actually. "
"Really?" she says, half-listening. "Did you meet in Saint Juan?"
"No," you mumble, standing from the dining table and settling onto the couch beside her. "We met in school, like how you have friends at school."
"Oh, wow," she says, amazed as she looks up at you. "That's a long time, Mama."
Yeah. It's been a long time.
โ
The first sign of trouble is that Hanako takes to Oikawa Tooru like he's her new best friend.
It's raining the day you meet him for dinner, and โ though you tell her repeatedly not to โ she drags him by the hand out into the downpour no less than four times. She stomps around in puddles and spins in circles and yells something that sounds like "Saint Juan rain feels different!".
Oikawa, awkward at first because spinning in the rain is not a habit of his, kind of just watches her with a grin and then eventually crouches to be closer to her level. He waves you off when you beckon him back to the awning where you're hiding. Stays near her, smiling and watching as she runs laps around him. And, when she finally gets dizzy from spinning and starts to fall over, he's quick to scoop her up and continue the game for her, stomping and turning and teaching her how to "catch the Saint Juan rain" on her tongue.
You try not to worry about him or the fact that he sits through the dinner soaking wet, his hair sticking to his face and his shoes squelching every time he shifts. You'd prepared Hana exactly for this moment because you know her โ rain boots, rain hat, raincoat with little clouds on it โ but Oikawa is a walking time bomb of the flu.
He doesn't even seem to notice, too busy asking Hana about how she likes school and coaching her through some of the Spanish she's struggling to learn, because she's barely been getting by with the help of a teacher's aide and your diligent presence at parent-teacher meetings. He teaches her like it's second nature, almost like he knows you can't quite help and that you're struggling with that fact.
And then, when she starts to get antsy, he quietly calls the waiter over and asks in fluent Argentinian Spanish for a pad of paper and some crayons from the kids' supplies. Hana's drawing the scene outside within a few minutes, only pausing when he calls for her attention.
He's cutting into a minced pork empanada, throwing you a smile when you give him a look, because you know they're small enough to just be bitten into.
"The inside's hot as fu-" He blanches, glancing at the little parrot who repeats everything she hears. "Hot as fire." She starts to sing 'hot as fire, hot as fire', and you have to cover the laugh that's bubbling up when he looks horrified and relieved that he'd corrected himself. He blows carefully on the food, watching for the moment it stops steaming. Then he hands it to her.
"Careful," he says softly. "Con cuidado, pajarito."
"Con parajito," she echoes poorly.
"Close enough."
You bite down another laugh and leave Hanako to her thoughts, asking Oikawa about his time here. The good and the bad come out โ his successes, his failures, his friends and his breakups. You find yourself examining him, because the last failure you'd seen had ended with white knuckles and a mop bucket.
But he seems fine.
He takes life in stride, and he doesn't seem upset that the events leading up to this moment hadn't all been perfect.
Lord knows you know a thing or two about imperfections.
You leave the dinner โ paid for by him, despite your protests โ with Hana in hand and a strange feeling the Oikawa Tooru is going to be more than just a stranger this time.
Maybe it has something to do with the sharp inhale he'd drawn when your daughter had handed him a finished drawing of him holding her in the rain, the word 'babycakes' written messily above his head.
โ
You see Oikawa every two days. Sometimes it's him who texts, sometimes it's you. Sometimes it's Hana, asking when she can see Babycakes again.
Ice cream on a warm evening, Oikawa teaching both of you how to order at the little stall by the market, Hana's little hand wrapped up in his.
Lunch on a Saturday, Hanako yelling "hi, Babycakes!" from the bottom step of the CASJ gym, Oikawa's teammates all letting out shocked laughs as Oikawa audibly comments "oh, that's me โ gotta go" and jogs down the steps to meet you.
Breakfast the very next day, your two day rule broken easily when Hana asks him with big eyes if she'll see him in the morning. He only swallows and looks at you, and your defeated laugh is all he needs to hear.
It's not like you're particularly opposed to the idea. Multiple nights in a row โ every night since that first dinner, in fact โ are spent texting him in the dark, long after Hana's gone to sleep.
"I like Hana a lot," he says over the phone one night, after claiming he's too tired to text. "She makes me feel like it's okay to just exist."
Your heart had fluttered then. "I think it's pretty clear she's obsessed with you," you had whispered back. "She asked if you can go to her career day. She didn't even ask me."
He'd laughed wholeheartedly, agreeing with ease and asking you to send him the date and time.
Before you'd hung up, he'd asked a question. You'd been wondering when he would.
"Does her mom like me, too?"
Your face had burned, and you'd sworn the stupid kick of your feet had been audible.
"Goodnight, Tooru."
You'd sworn you could hear him kick his feet, too.
"Night, Y/n. See you tomorrow."
โ
The second sign of trouble is Oikawa's response to Hana's father re-entering the picture, so many months later that you'd almost forgotten about him.
It's sudden and unwelcome, and you're entirely unprepared to deal with it.
The only warning you get is the receptionist shoving you back into the elevator the moment you step out, her eyes wide with alarm and the close door button jammed down multiple times.
"What-"
"Sorry!" she squeaks, sending you both down to the lobby again and dragging you to the little convenience store across the street. "Sorry, sorry! But there's a sudden meeting of executivesโit usually happens in Buenos Aires, but they moved it this yearโI wasn't sure if you heard aboutโ"
You let her drag you around, let her buy you a little can of coffee and a pastry. You let her, because you don't know how to process this.
"So-"
"Yeah," she says, munching on her own pastry distractedly and staring out the window at the company building. "He's here. We all saw him walk in."
You're kind of surprised she's doing all of this. You hadn't been the best at making friends in the last few months โ it's been more than a year, really โ but you hadn't minded because people were at least very nice on the surface.
You hadn't realized that all those months of working your ass off and a generally positive reputation had actually resulted in people wanting to help you. You'd gotten so used to the Tokyo office, the isolation.
"Okay," you sigh, drinking your coffee gratefully and preparing to see him. "Okay, I got this."
"You got this," she says. She looks ready to throw a punch in your honor. "We all got your back."
Your heart is warm when you get back in the elevator.
You see him the moment you enter the office, out of the corner of your eye. You'll never forget what he looks like, never forget the effect he has on a room.
He's at your desk before you are, a grin on his face.
"Y/n," he says, voice saccharine, and tries to hug you. You try to back away from it and almost fail, if not for the guy in the cubicle next to yours rolling over your ex's foot with his chair.
"Aye, perdon," he says, smiling innocently. "Accident."
"Hi," you say simply, setting up at your desk and then looking up at him. "Safe travels?"
The man looks too pleased to see you, despite the aching foot. "It's so good to see you. Could we talk?"
"About?"
"Let's call it catching up."
It's not a question, and there's not a way out. You can see it in his eyes.
Sighing, you gesture to the empty conference room with the glass walls, where you now know your co-workers will keep an eye on you.
He grimaces. "I was thinking something like a coffee shop."
You stare up at him and gesture to the conference room again.
Walking after him, you realize with relief that his presence doesn't affect you like you thought it would. You're not angry or hurt or anything you had been for so long.
The conversation is short, consisting entirely of him poking at your work life to gauge how unhappy you are. When you don't give him what he wants, he grows frustrated, but he's called back to the meeting of executives before he can push.
You think that'll be it and return to your desk, trying to brush it off. Smiling gratefully at your co-workers, who are all on high alert on your behalf. You really hadn't realized how good things had gotten over the last year.
โ
"Leaving already?"
You sigh, stopping short in the lobby.
He's been waiting for you.
"I get off at 2:30," you say plainly, turning to look at him.
He scoffs. "So much for full-time, I guess."
You just smile. "I work from home in the evenings. I have an arrangement."
"Arrangement for what?" he questions. "What do you need to leave at 2:30 for?"
You blink. Blink again. "To pick up my daughter from school."
Your daughter. Remember?
He blinks back. You realize he's forgotten about her.
The anger rises and falls, rises and falls. You push it down.
"Hanako," he says quietly. "Is she adjusting? Does she miss me?"
"Yes and no," you say. He looks pleased with your answer โ thinks it means she feels conflicted generally, that she must ask for him โ until you clarify. "In that order."
His nostrils flare with annoyance. You smile. "How's what's-her-name? The girl you gave my job and my bed to."
He rolls his eyes. "Fuck, you're dramatic. I didn't come here to fight, Y/n."
You just smile. "What're you getting upset about? It was just a question." You lower your voice, mocking him with those words he used to use on you. "Don't get emotional. It's not good for you."
He clenches his jaw, looks you over. Sees that you're actually doing well. Gets angry.
"I want to see my daughter."
Your smile falls. "Absolutely not."
He laughs. "What're you gonna do, stop me?"
"Yes," you bite. "Remember? You signed your custody away with the divorce."
He doesn't remember and you know it. Because he hadn't cared about that, even though it's the one thing you really had cared about.
He shifts, blocking you when you start to leave. "I can just follow you, y'know. I can find her school and where you live."
You turn away from the doors and march to one of the little sets of armchairs scattered around the lobby. You sit firmly, crossing your legs and staring at him expectantly. He looks shocked.
"What are you doing?" he demands, sitting across from you. "What is this?"
You smile. "Where you gonna follow me if I don't go anywhere?"
He scoffs. "You're being childish." When you don't move, he gestures out the door. "And Hanako? Not worried what'll happen if you don't show up?"
"Nope." You pull out your phone and shift to get comfortable. "You've always been too impatient for my games." Your eyes cut to his. "Isn't that what you said?"
You fully plan to wait him out, no matter how long it takes. But there is one thing you need.
[2:37 PM]
You: please help me
He answers immediately.
Unknown Number: what??
Unknown Number: whats wrong???
He calls. You reject it, pretending to play a game on your phone.
Unknown Number: yn answer me. whats happening??
You: hana gets out at 3
Unknown Number: i know???
You: cant get there in time
You: need help
Unknown Number: leaving practice
You: fuck im sorry
Unknown Number: dont be
Unknown Number: running, should be there in time
Unknown Number: tell me whats going on
You: ex here
You: showed up
You: wont leave until he sees her
Unknown Number: i think the fuck not
Unknown Number: where are you? are you safe???
You: yes
You: with him
Unknown Number: WHAT.
Unknown Number: LET ME COME GET YOU
You: hana!
Unknown Number: I KNOW BUT
Unknown Number: FUCK
Unknown Number: okay it's okay i have a plan
You: ?????????
You don't hear from him again, and you're left staring down at your screen.
"Talking to someone?" your ex says, leaning forward to examine you.
"What?" you say, startled. "No."
Your phone rings.
It's Iwa.
You blink, shocked, and put the phone to your ear. "Hajime?"
Your ex furrows his brow and leans back again, watching.
"Why is fuckass picking up my girl from school?"
You'd told him about reconnecting with Oikawa, of course, but you're certain he's heard more from Tooru himself. It's not surprising that Iwa's kept in the loop every minute of every day.
"Isn't it the middle of the night for you?"
"Your ex is there? Did you kick him in the balls?"
"No, Hajime."
"Do it. Say it's from me. And then do it again and say it's from Issei."
"One more for Makki?"
"Atta girl."
You roll your eyes. "Not happening."
"So, I should tell Makki to cancel all our flights out there?"
"Funny."
"I thought so, too. Did you hear that they finally fucked?"
You gasp. "What? When? How-Wait-" You squint. "What're you doing? You don't gossip."
"Fuckass gave me simple instructions. I'm following them."
You can hear Oikawa's voice now, "keep her on the phone as long as you can" probably yelled into the receiver while he was running to Hana's school.
You glance at your ex. He looks annoyed and bored and every other negative emotion under the sun.
You settle into your seat comfortably. "So, who yold you? Mattsun?"
"You know he did. He can't keep a secret to save his life."
โ
It's after 6 when you finally manage to get rid of him, and it's only because the other executives had called a car to the airport and he would miss his flight otherwise. He hadn't said a word to you, and you hadn't even spared him a glance. You'd just kept gossiping with Iwa.
Once he's gone, you breathe heavily and say, "Finally. Fuck."
Hajime's on his morning run, the hours having bled into daylight for him. His breath is easy when he mutters a response.
"Good. Go."
You're flying down the street toward your house, heels in one hand and bag barely staying on your shoulder.
You make it to Hana's school and cut a sharp left, bare feet slapping against the ground but the pain not registering one bit.
You slow just enough to take a breath in front of Oikawa's apartment, not wanting to scare Hana. You knock gently, hearing as a little voice yells "Coming, my love!" from inside.
She's got salsa smeared on her face when she beams up at you. "Hi, Mama!"
Your knees hit the ground, her little body gathered in your arms and your face pressed into her shoulder. You breathe her in, smiling when she hugs you back with sticky hands and the wonderful little giggles you'd missed all day.
You glance over her shoulder at Oikawa, who's still sitting on the floor in his living room, watching you. He looks troubled, but mostly his face is full of relief.
"'m sorry Mama couldn't pick you up today, baby," you mumble. "Work got crazy. It won't happen again, I promise."
Hanako rocks back and forth, fingers playing with the ends of your hair. "That's okay, Mama. Babycakes took me back to the gym with him and did push-ups with me on his back! He did, like, a hundred!"
Oikawa laughs gently, lowering his gaze. "It was twelve. I did twelve."
You stare at him carefully, waiting until his eyes find yours again. Your vision gets warm, blurry.
"That's, like, a hundred, Babycakes," you say, voice shaky.
He's watching you the same way you're watching him.
โ
"You shouldn't run around without your shoes," Oikawa says, rubbing an alcohol-soaked cotton ball on the soles of your feet. You've got your legs in his lap, Hana asleep on top of his bed in the other room. "You could have cut yourself on metal or glass. What'do we do if you get tetanus?"
You sigh, resting your head against his couch. "I know. I just got desperate."
"I know," he breathes, and then he watches you. "Nothing happened?" When you shake your head, he pushes. "Promise me."
You smile, holding his gaze. "Nothing happened. I sat in the lobby and talked to Hajime on the phone until he left." You lift your head again, eyes wide. "Did you hear about Mattsun and Makki?"
His eyes go comically wide. "You're joking." When you shake your head, he laughs. "Finally. It's only been 15 years."
"I know," you laugh, and then you pull out your phone.
[9:47 PM]
You: so who bottoms?
The response is instant, like he'd been waiting.
Mattsun: kiss my phat ass
Mattsun: and then eat it
You: okay soโฆ you??
Mattsun: heard fuckass picked up my girl from school
Mattsun: anything you wanna tell me?
You: my girl this, my girl that
You: shes MY GIRL
Mattsun: WE WERE THERE WHEN SHE FLEW OUT YA COOT
Mattsun: THAT FUCKING LOSER DIDNT EVEN SHOW UP
Mattsun: THATS O U R GIRL
You: okay your point is made
You: makki bottoms
Mattsun: thats what i thought
You laugh, about to tell Oikawa what you've been texting about, but your phone buzzes again.
Mattsun: seriously though
Mattsun: youre okay?
You: yes, mattsun
You: promise
Mattsun: fuckass really came through today huh
You: yeah,,, he did,,,, he's been like that for a while
Mattsun: โฆโฆ.. hm.
You just throw your phone on the coffee table and tell Oikawa, "Mattsun bottoms but wants the narrative to be the opposite."
He throws his head back and laughs, and you have to shush him so he doesn't wake Hana up.
โ
Career Day at Hana's school comes, and you find yourself, along with dozens of other parents, filing into the school with your kid. Oikawa's right beside you, wearing his CASJ uniform and chatting up any parents who recognize him and want his autograph.
You sit through a morning of hearing about Hana's classmates and their parents, glad that you'd taken the day off work to be here. And then you all eat lunch together, Oikawa cutting her food and blowing on it.
"She's gonna grow up a princess if you keep doing that," you warn him fondly.
He just winks at you and passes Hana a perfectly prepared little lunch plate. "Good."
After lunch, you all return to the classroom and prepare for the afternoon session. Finally, right after hearing about the dangers of tax evasion from an accountant, the teacher claps her hands and stands with a smile.
"Okay, next we have Hanako! Everyone, please clap."
The children all clap their little hands, and you and Oikawa watch fondly as she toddles to the front of the class, her nerves about being the new girl still fresh even a year later.
"Uhm! Hi!" She seems so different than normal, clasping and unclasping her hands as she looks around. "For my career day, uhm-" She looks around some more, and you see one girl in the back give her two thumbs up. It warms your heart and makes you tear up a little, watching your girl grow up.
Hana finds you in the crowd of parents, finds Oikawa next to you in his CASJ uniform. And then her smile comes out, the one she shows for him. The one she'd never shown for anyone but you, not before him.
"For my career day, I have my dad! C'mere, Babycakes!"
----------
THREE
----------
The third sign of trouble is exactly that right there.
Your whole world comes to a screeching halt, the floor falling out from under you.
You feel Oikawa's body jerk next to yours, and a choked noise leaves him.
Your eyes find the teacher's. She looks equally shocked.
Your eyes find the other parents'. They look a mix of shocked and sympathetic, and you know you'll be the talk of the parents' groupchat within the hour.
Your eyes find Oikawa's. He's already looking at you, looking for you. Looking for you to tell him what to do. His face is burning red and radiating heat, and you can't tell if he's embarrassed because he's not her father or if it's because of the implication that he could be.
"Babycakes?"
Chocolate eyes rip away from you, flying straight to her. Because she's waiting, nervous. She needs him.
"Y-Yeah," he chokes. "Yeah, love. Coming."
You see him mask his confusion, his shock. You see that wall come up, and it scares you. It scares you to realize that it's not the same as before, as in high school. The wall he's putting up isn't for him. It's not even for you.
It's for her.
It scares you, because you see the moment your daughter's anxiety fades away. You see it fall to nothing when he puts on that face that you used to hate, and it scares you because you don't hate it anymore. He picks her up and introduces himself to the class, his voice ringing in your ears, and you don't hate it anymore. You see him holding her, that mask of confidence and ease, that twinkle in his eye and that glow that radiates around him like the sun chose him out of everyone in the world.
You see it, and you realize that you love him.
โ
The walk home is silent, except for Hana skipping ahead and singing to herself.
โ
"Stay," you whisper, catching him by the sleeve when he tries to go. He's standing outside your door, goodbyes with Hana already exchanged before she went inside.
It only takes a single tug on his sleeve for him to give in, and he steps close, invading your personal space briefly as he passes you.
Hana calls out in surprise from the living room.
"Babycakes is staying for dinner," is all you say, casting a look in his direction. He's already staring, cheeks flushed and eyelashes fluttering nervously.
โ
It's late.
You're standing in the kitchen, washing dishes and staring down at nothing. You can hear Oikawa in Hanako's room, his voice steady as he reads out a story from one of her many books in Spanish. She's gotten better now, almost fluent, and she's started reading chapter books. He's narrating one of those chapters out loud for her, his Spanish echoing around the apartment in a way that suggests it wants him here.
You want him here.
He eventually comes out, shutting the door silently behind him. You're finishing up in the kitchen.
"Hi," he breathes. You turn, staring up at him for a moment.
"Hi."
He follows you silently to your bedroom, the lights turned off in each room as you go.
Your bedroom light stays off, too, the moonlight more than enough. You're reminded of another moment just like this. It involved a mop bucket.
"Tooru-"
"Y/n-"
You both stop, stare at each other.
He swallows. "I love her." Your heart catches in your chest, and your inhale is audibly and sharp. "I love that little girl, Y/n. She's everything to me."
You can't find your words. You just stare and blink up at him stupidly. "Tooru, I-"
"Wait, please. Just wait," he pleads. "I know that I'm not-that we're not-" He sighs. "But I think about her all the time. I stop at the store and think about what snacks she would like and what foods she hasn't tried yet. And there's a bookstore by the gym that I pass every day, and I always want to stop in and-" He's been pacing, but he stops now, looking at you. Hopeless. "And any time we go abroad for a game, I want to bring her something. I want to bring you something. But I don't, because I don't know if I'm allowed, or if-if you-"
He doesn't finish. You don't need him to.
"Tooru," you say quietly, stepping close. "You're allowed. You're more than allowed. That little girl in there adores you, and I know you see it. She's obsessed with you." Your fingers find the hem of his shirt, curling tight around the fabric. "You heard her today. You know what you are to her."
He swallows. "Butโฆ But I'm not-"
You tug, hard. He gasps quietly and shuts his mouth.
"You know what you are to her, Tooru. It's a question of if you want to be." His eyes start to water. You fight back the same urge. "Because I won't have another man walk out on her."
He shakes his head, gentle. "Of course I want to be." He swallows hard, and his fingers hook into your belt loops, drawing you to him. "God, I've been wanting that for months. I've been thinking about it for months."
Your heart is in your throat. "And me?" His breath falters, so you push on. "Do you wanna be?"
His exhale is shaky.
"I want anything you'll give me."
You tug on his shirt again. He gets the message.
His lips are soft and his breath is desperate and his fingers shake on your skin. It feels like everything is moving fast, but there's 10 years behind you, so you're not ashamed to admit that you push him down onto your bed like it physically pains you to wait another minute.
"We have to be quiet," you say against his lips. He just nods, turning you over onto your back and reaching down to unbutton your slacks. They hit the floor somewhere far away, and his shirt goes with them.
But when you think he's going to keep undressing you, he stops. He stops and pins your hands to the bed and just kisses you. Parts your thighs with his knees and settles between your legs and kisses you like he means it.
"Sorry," he mumbles. "If we go too fast, I won't make it." You purse your lips, and he nudges you with a smile. "Don't laugh at me."
"Damn near 30 years old and Oikawa Tooru's got the endurance of a teenager," you tease, wrapping your legs around his waist. "Don't you have a ton of experience?"
He shakes his head. "'s 'cause it's you," he breathes, lips finding yours. "'m gonna be 40 and still acting like this."
You don't want to admit to him that the thought of him at 40 โ still in this bed, still in your home โ makes your nerves flip and your body sensitive.
His hips roll into yours, the seam of his jeans catching on your underwear, and you twitch underneath him. He grins and does it again, just to see if it was a fluke.
The low whine in the back of your throat tells him it wasn't.
He tortures you like that, rolling his hips and sliding his tongue against your throat. You whimper beneath him and whisper his name, the quiet "please"s only heard when he's had enough. Only then does he loosen his grip on your wrists.
You're on him instantly, knocking him onto his back and straddling his waist. You plant your hands on his chest and roll your hips, taking over. It feels perfect โ the slide of his denim against your clit, rough and hard and perfect. And he doesn't seem so unaffected in this position, his head thrown back and his Adam's apple bobbing when he swallows and his biceps straining as he fights to maintain control of himself while you rut on his cock like this.
"Please," he breathes, shaky. "Please, Y/n. No more."
You're out of breath too, your cunt throbbing and aching for more than just this.
You drop your hands to the band of his jeans and pop the button, the drag of the zipper loud in the space between you.
The distance between this moment and you wrapping your hand around his cock is no more than Oikawa clapping his hand over his mouth, eyes rolling back in his head.
You flick your wrist a few times, amazed at his size, as he twitches and struggles under you, his muscles jumping. And then you lift off of him, lining him up with your entrance, and sink down slowly.
"Oh-" The sound escapes you before you can stop it, and suddenly the hand he'd hand on his mouth is now on yours, clamped tight. You do the same for him.
You ride him like this, the two of you making no more noise than loud exhales and the low, muffled moans that don't go beyond this little bubble you've created. You lift up and drop down with as little noise as you can manage, but the few slapping sounds that break through are enough to send his hips thrusting up into you, almost like he can't help it.
When you're close to the edge, your hips falter, and he takes it as his opportunity to roll you over and take control. He flattens himself over you so his face is buried in your neck, and all you can do is wrap your arms around his neck and cling to him.
He fucks you hard, but it's not rough. It's desperate, like he's been waiting. Like he might never get the chance again. Your bed creaks slightly, but you're already so close that you know you won't even last a few more seconds.
He lasts even less.
He shudders against you, stilling suddenly, and then he pulls out of you just in time to come on your skin, your abdomen and thighs covered in him. He does it without a single noise, the sounds he wants to let out bitten back completely and his eyes screwed shut. You shiver at the warmth of it on your sweaty, chilled skin, a blissful smile taking over your features.
He smiles back, his fingers dropping to your clit and rubbing messy circles over it. You gasp, back arching, and he starts to murmur to you, low and loving.
"That's it, beautiful. Let me see you come, hm? Please?"
Your vision starts to go white at the edges, and his name falls from your lips. He breathes out and leans over you to plant his lips on yours.
"Come for me."
It's enough.
โ
You don't remember falling asleep.
You don't remember the last time you slept this well.
โ
You wake to the sound of Hanako singing in Spanish.
There's someone singing with her.
When you pad out of your bedroom, you find her seated on the kitchen counter, singing along to the kids' station on the little radio in the corner. Oikawa's just beside her, cutting up fruit that you certainly didn't have before. He must have gone to the store and come back before she woke up.
She starts to wriggle in place, and he places a careful hand on her arm.
โ inspired loosely by 'how to lose a guy in 10 days!' ๐ฅย
PAIRING: frat!jo x sororitygirl!reader
SYNOPSIS: After your sorority sisters accuse you of never being able to shake a man, you strive to prove them wrong. When they point out a sworn enemy, Satoru Gojo, you take them up on their forming bet, feeling as if it would be easy money. Satoru Gojo has no problem getting women, but never in his 4 years of college had he ever brought a girl to his fraternity's back-to-school formal. When his brothers make a bet that he wonโt be able to hold onto a girl long enough to bring her to their formal in eleven days, all of their eyes immediately drift to you.
SERIES TAGS: enemies-to-lovers, reader is in a sorority, gojo is a punk (as per usual), yearning, somewhat crack, fluff sprinkled throughout, mentions of alcohol, mentions of drugs, party culture, greek life culture, any more warnings will be mentioned in chapter tags :)
โ ห๏ฝกโเญจเญงห SERIES MASTERLIST:
โ.หหเฟ เฃช series main page (you are here now)
beta theta pi is hosting an event for the red cross foundation! $10 for an 'all inclusive' car wash. your good friends at the frat giving your car a clean, what's the harm? only, when you, shoko, and yuki pull up to the front of their house, you're met with nine very eger, very ripped, very shirtless men waiting to douse your car in soapy water. (crack, dry humping the car ๐, a lot of sexual innuendoes)
includes (all at the same time btw): gojo, sukuna, toji, geto, nanami, choso, ino, shiu, higuruma.
wc: 2.5k || suggestive ! || art creds: @/thatsallitcheif
"i'm only going to see higuruma, i wanna hook up with him tonight at maki's function." yuki smiled, she's got both hands on the wheel of your car, driving lowkey really badly. but oh well, she offered so who were you to deny a break from behind the wheel?
shoko, blew a puff of smoke out the back window and laughed. "yeah, i wanna see that chick i made out with at that mixer on friday, she was hot, said she'd be here too."
you cross your legs in the passenger seat and add, "i just need my car cleaned, and $10 is cheap. it should be fun!"
"yeah, 'fun.' those guys are gonna flock to this car the second we pull up, you're a fan favourite." shoko drawls.
yuki snickers and taps her hands against the wheel.
to be honest, none of you guys had been to a frat car wash before despite the majority of your friends being greek. you had no idea what you were in for.
yuki turned the corner toward beta theta piโs house and you immediately regretted every hopeful word that left your mouth.
because right there on their lawn stood nine men who had apparently been sculpted by someone who was both talented and very, very horny. ripped and somehow shiny, dripping water everywhere, sponges in hand like they were props for an off brand magic mike set.
all nine of them looked up at once, and smiled.
big smiles. bright smiles. terrifyingly gross smiles.
you slumped back. โwhat the fuck is this?"
"why is everyone wet already?" shoko sighs.
โgod bless america,โ yuki whispered under her breath, slowing the car next to the group of shirtless men.
shoko hid her grin behind her iced coffee and murmured, โbeta theta pie indeed.โ
you covered your face as yuki pulled up next to them. they were gathered in a semi circle, like some kind of shirtless greeting committee.
toji and sukuna were holding two blue buckets each, listing them up as to show you what you were in for, geto had a sponge the size of a toddler in his hand. gojo twirled a towel over his shoulder in slow, unnecessary showmanship. nanami looked so fed up and uninterested it made you giggle. choso had eyeliner on that was smudged from the splash of water across his cheek. ino was leaning against nanami with his shoulders crossed. shiu and higuruma wiped foam off their shoulders from the previous wash, panting for some reason?
you winced. โoh god, theyโre all into this homo shit.โ
yuki rolled down the window, looking higuruma up and down before smiling at geto approaching.
as suguru stepped forward first, leaning down with that calm face he only used when he planned to say something outrageous. he opened his mouth, but gojo immediately shoved him aside with his forearm and planted both hands on the window frame, water from his chest dripping onto the seats.
โladies,โ he smirked. then he winked at you in particular, gross.
you stared at him with the exact expression of someone watching their dog try to talk.
โwelcome to beta theta piโs charity car wash! where the water is wet and the men can make you even-โ
โoh my god, no,โ you cut in.
he grinned wider. โcan you not ruin my hilarious sex jokes, y/n?โ
โshut up and wash my car, satoru.โ
the guys all laugh and slap satoru on the back, teasing him for fumbling.
the men circled the car, and toji ended up at your window, bracing his forearm on the roof like some kind of hot bouncer in training.
โhey sweetheart,โ he said, voice heavy with the fake flirting he saved exclusively for messing with you. โpayment pretty please.โ
you laughed under your breath, he committed to the bit so hard. you dug around in your bag, found the crumpled ten dollar notee, and held it out to him.
he didnโt take it with his hand.
no. that would make too much sense, apparently.
toji leaned in and took the bill with his teeth.
his actual teeth.
you jerked back with a grin. โwhat is wrong with you!โ
yuki let out a loud laugh that egged on the rest to also get loud for no good reason.
toji pulled back with the bill hanging from his mouth, staring you down. you hadn't been to a magic mike show, but this was sculpting out to be very reminiscent of one..
"okay lock in we've gotta preform for these lovely girls." ino announces, making the men grab for hoses, sponges, cloths... eachother?...
you and shoko give each other a look of regret before yuki winds up all the windows and the boys get to work.
yuki tells you she is already imagining hiruguma doing something illegal to her window. shoko sighs deeply into the straw of her coffee.
the guys all huddle for a second, whispering loud enough that you can hear bits of it through the cracked seal of the door. you catch toji saying something about 'best clients of the day', and gojo reminding everyone to โhit the angles the ladies like,โ which makes you tilt your head back into the seat with a sigh thatโs half despair, halfโฆ. okay, fine, mild anticipation.
you barely have time to brace yourself before sukuna and ino rock up toward the front of the car.
sukuna pulls himself onto the hood with zero strain, water flying off him as he drags a sponge along the metal like heโs trying to seduce it, and ino follows by slapping his palm on the hood and yelling, โshowtime boys.โ the rest cheer like middle schoolers hyped on soft drink. it was so bad you wanted to strangle yourself from second hand embarrassment.
toji walks toward the windshield, he pumps soap into his palms, smears it across his chest until he looks dipped in whipped cream, then drags the foam down, down, down his torso with his forearm. he doesnโt even pretend this is for cleaning, he's practically screaming sex appeal.
he glances straight at you as he pulls more soap along his big shoulders, spreading it down his meaty bicep, then lifts that same arm and presses it flat to your side of the windshield. he wipes in one long sweep, bicep leading the motion like heโs using his own body as a giant sponge. shoko groans into her cup and yuki claps.
gojo and geto show up next, the two crouch low in front of the glass, wiping it up and getting it all soapy before smiling way too wide.
gojo uses his towel to draw circles in the soap, then traces a big, messy heart right in the center of the windshield. geto presses his palm beside it, drags downward, and mouths something that looks suspiciously like 'sweetheart'. you flick your fingers at them in a weak attempt to shoo them off, but gojo just leans closer, fogs the glass with his breath, and draws a tiny heart inside the big one. he beams at you like he's never been happier being told to fuck off.
โthis is harassment,โ you mumlble.
โno, it's like.. a community service?โ shoko corrects without looking away.
โyou don't pay for community service?"
"can you shut up and enjoy the show, y/n? damn." yuki laughs, pinching your cheek lovingly.
higuruma's next, he leans over yuki's window, his palm above the glass and draging the sponge along the surface with slow strokes that make her jittery in her seat. he glances at her through the soapy smears which somehow makes the whole thing hotter. you watch her sit up straighter and try to act normal, she fumbles so bad but he seemed to dig it.
then, sukuna slams his palm against your window, making you jump. he leans in so close his forehead almost touches the glass. then, with the most charming motion you've ever seen from such a blunt guy, he presses his cut torso against the glass and reaches up to clean the roof of your car. he drags his torso up the glass until heโs standing on his toes, chest sliding along your window in a big soapy mess.
you cover your face and groan, yuki just cackles besides you.
back to the two black and white idiots, geto leans his cheek against the windshield, leaving a streak of soap behind, mouthing something else inappropriate you pretended to not understand, throwing your shoulders up in a shrug and pulling a confused face, he drew another heart, then another, then wrote your name in a looped shape that made gojo shove him aside like a jealous kid.
gojo slapped his own palm against the same spot and traced a messy star. then he kissed the glass. twice. you recoiled and yelled through the window, โstop spreading your germs across my car, satoru.โ
he grinned, wiped sweat from his temple with exaggerated effort, then pressed his entire torso against the glass and slid downward in a dramatic slump that left a perfect body shaped smear.
shoko dropped her head back. โi canโt believe weโre friends with them. i canโt believe this is our chosen community.โ
โyou love this,โ you said.
โi absolutely do,โ she replied.
sukuna, after washing the back two windows, slapped soap onto his stomach and stomped around the car, then popped up next to your window again and flexed both of his beautifully sculpted arms. you stared straight ahead and refused to give him the satisfaction, which made him roll his eyes and swipe a handful of foam over your side mirror like he was offended.
choso was crouched next to your front wheel, dragging his sponge along the bottom panels, hair dripping. he flicked a grin at you that felt almost sweet until he lifted the sponge and squeezed it out over his own collarbone, the soap dripping a trail down the middle of his abs.
toji shoved him aside with a playful shoulder, snatched the sponge and slapped it against the center of the windshield again, leaving a bloom of white foam. he mouthed a slow call me through the glass before winking.
shoko made a pained sound. โthis is your fault for being pretty.โ
โthis is not my fault,โ you replied. โthis is whatever hazing did this to them.โ
gojo and geto had started some sort of synchronised routine at the front, rubbing their lower stomachs against the bumper like they were tryna fuck the car, they werenโt even cleaning evenly?. geto nearly slipped, caught himself, then turned it into a dramatic dip of gojoโs waist like they were ballroom partners.
gojo yelled, โyouโre welcome for the show,โ then winked at a passing car that nearly drove into a curb.
nanami and shiu were actually doing their jobs and begun swiping soap over the fronts and sides of the rear view mirror, shaking their heads from the joint second hand embarrassment.
higuruma squeezed past shiu and tapped on yukiโs window again, lifting a sponge, dragging it down his arms, and rubbing his now soapy forearms in a circular motions against the glass. she melted against her seat with a quiet โoh my god heโs perfect.โ
โshoot your shot,โ shoko whispered.
โi will absolutely after this,โ yuki replied.
โi think he already assumes you're something with the way he's eye fucking you, girl,โ you added.
ino hopped onto the hood again, (these fatties were going to dent your car at this point), dragging a cloth up and down that somewhat actually shined the surface. he looked proud of himself and puffed out his chest, โlook at that shimmer, boys! y/n's gonna be extra happy with me because i'm actually cleaning.โ you watch as nanami and shiu give him a nasty death glare.
โget off my car,โ you mouth.
โiโm making it sparkle!" he yelled so you could hear.
toji shoved him off with one hand. ino yelped, rolled across the ground, then sprang up like a jack in the box.
the guys kept laughing, washing, sliding, posing?, some actually cleaning and others intentionally being thirsty degenerates.
yuki was dreamily watching hiruguma rinse the side panels. shoko kept commenting on the absurdity under her breath. you pressed your forehead to your hand, hiding your smile as the boys devolved into a mix of professional detailers, strippers with poor form, and dogs who had discovered water for the first time.
in what seemed like the final act, after another small discussion between the professional washers, they covered their bodies in soap one last time and all surrounded the car.
"what the fuck are they doing..." you laugh cry, not in the funny way, in the dreadful, strangled way.
yuki is too busy watching her man approach her window with a smile, shoko just replies with a blood curdling scream at toji approaching hers.
gojo and geto hop up onto the hood, rubbing their abs all over the front, choso is at your window running his back muscles up and down your window, ino and toji are at the back seat windows lowkey almost grinding up against the door handles in a showy, ironic way, shiu and nanami take the back window, begrudgingly rubbing soap all over it with their massive arms.
it's like these fuckass guys were trying to have an orgy with your car.
yuki is dying with laughter and shoko has moved to the middle seat as to not be too close to whatever weird shit toji and ino were pulling on her back windows, you just sit there, wallowing in embarrassment covering your eyes and groaning.
"open your eyes, baby!" gojo and geto somehow scream i sync, you laugh and shake your head, "no!" and they take that as a challenge. they start making drawn out sex noises while sliding their bodies up and down the hood, promoting the others to join in. except for shiu and nanami, of course, they were above this humiliation ritual bs.
they moan and groan like high schoolers trying to get the attention of a girl they like, it was so bad.
choso was at your window laughing in between groans, thinking your flustered state was the funniest thing he'd ever seen, toji and ino at the back are putting on a performance trying to moan like girls, very poor execution if you're being honest. hiruguma is laughing at all of this, still tryna look good for yuki.
you were not talking to these guys at the next function (tonight). this was too bad. so bad you wanted to cry, or laugh? or shoot yourself in the face? either way you deserve some sort of apology for this borderline harassment of your precious car. could cars be assaulted? if so you're going to court because what the fuck was this?
"cmonnnnn y/n! open your eyes or we'll keep g-going! ngh!" he moaned that last part, if you couldn't tell.
"y/n, i'm begging you, i can't do this anymore." shoko whined.
you groan and take your hands away from your eyes, taking in the sight of grown ass men rubbing their very cut bodies all over the place.
"atta girl!" geto hollered.
god, can you strike me down now?
"next time they do this, we are NOT going." you shake your head.
00. ๐๐๐๐ ๐๐๐ ๐ ๐๐๐๐ โ katsuki bakugou. โiโd do it again and again if it meant i found you each time.โ
every now and then, you swear off men. and then, sometimes, when you get a little bored, you re-download all of your dating apps.
friday night, when you find yourself swiping mindlessly through poorly made accounts, you stumble upon the holy grail: fully clothed in each picture, literate responses to the prompts, a nice smileโyou sit up straight and swipe right.
๐๐จ๐ง๐ญ๐๐ง๐ญ. a hybrid traditional / smau fic. pro-hero! katsuki x civilian! reader. beware of the following when approaching a new chapter: profanity & sarcasm, alcohol & drug usage, angst, suicide jokes, possible ooc. irregular update schedule. taglist is open - comment or send an ask to be added.
And I still see some of yall say โmake this fic into a character ai pls!โ
WE ARE RUNNING OUT OF WATER
Get off those god forsaken generative ai apps or you will go down with those who care
Especially those of you in the fanfic community, you steal your own work by going on c.ai and simultaneously kill us
For those who donโt know, ai takes from fresh water to cool its computer systems and the water canโt be recycled. ChatGPT alone uses 500 million gallons of water a day, and the AI industry used more water last year than the plastic water bottle industry. It also produces nothing original and takes from artists and writers alike.
Please resist and fight against this, it will only change if there is a collective effort โผ๏ธโผ๏ธโผ๏ธ
โ meet kenji bakugou yln!! the baby of yn yln and bakugou katsuki. no, theyโre not marriedโฆ or in a relationshipโฆ yeah, you know theyโve never dated! it was just a one night stand and she still had the baby. i heard heโs a good father tooโฆ wait look, are you sure like theyโre not dating?
when the fic has 10k+ words, fluff, angst, smut right at the end, friends to lovers, character whoโs down bad for reader, AND Y/N DOESNT ACT LIKE A CHILD